YAWTFIWWPT (WTF is Wrong with People??)

[spacejamz]

I helped out a friend this weekend in a charity event (Teams for Children)...Basically, it was corporate challenge where 6 large organizations competed in volleyball, basketball, other events for charity.

The first event was basketball. On our team was 5 guys who probably haven't been on a court in 10 years...It was pretty obvious that we weren't going to compete for 1st place against the two teams who brought their ringers with them...

The ref had to warn one team we played that you cannot stick your knee out to stop someone from going by you. Another team we played was setting picks and running plays.

I guess the days of having a nice friendly game are long gone. Either that or my expectations of a game for charity at this level were grossly incorrect...

/end of weak rant...

 

[rivan]

I used to play softball in a couple beer leagues.

There's always that ONE guy who comes dressed in the athletic pants, brings his own bat (that noone else can touch), wearing cleats, etc. He usually even puts down his beer when batting.

Some people take some things WAY too seriously.

 

[Anubis]

sports generally bring out the worst in people

example - little league parents

 

[Wyndru]

Everyone is competitive or has to be the best of everything in every part of their lives. It's ok to be competitive when it's appropriate, but it's kind of sad when people can't "turn off" that personality trait.

 

[Numenorean]

I used to play softball in a couple beer leagues.

There's always that ONE guy who comes dressed in the athletic pants, brings his own bat (that noone else can touch), wearing cleats, etc. He usually even puts down his beer when batting.

Some people take some things WAY too seriously.

I have baseball pants, cleats, batting gloves, my own bat (of course anyone on my team can use it if they like), etc. for softball. WTF is wrong with that? What are you going to do swing a tree branch to hit the ball? This was for a co-ed rec league. It was fun, but it didn't mean that we didn't want to win and weren't competitive. Why play a competitive team sport if you aren't competitive?

I don't even see the problem with the team in the OP. If you play, play to win.

Of course I moved up to a mens team for the summer league.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I helped out a friend this weekend in a charity event (Teams for Children)...Basically, it was corporate challenge where 6 large organizations competed in volleyball, basketball, other events for charity.

The first event was basketball. On our team was 5 guys who probably haven't been on a court in 10 years...It was pretty obvious that we weren't going to compete for 1st place against the two teams who brought their ringers with them...

The ref had to warn one team we played that you cannot stick your knee out to stop someone from going by you. Another team we played was setting picks and running plays.

I guess the days of having a nice friendly game are long gone. Either that or my expectations of a game for charity at this level were grossly incorrect...

/end of weak rant...

I'm not sure why this would cause you to think "WTF is wrong with people".

Even for charity, what's wrong with playing with some competitiveness?

 

[Bulk Beef]

sports generally bring out the worst in people

example - little league parents

My memories of parents at kids' soccer games painted a very poor picture of adult behavior.

 

[spacejamz]

I'm not sure why this would cause you to think "WTF is wrong with people".

Even for charity, what's wrong with playing with some competitiveness?

If you don't already know the answer to this question given the details I have already provided, there is nothing anyone else can say to you that will matter...

 

[Numenorean]

If you don't already know the answer to this question given the details I have already provided, there is nothing anyone else can say to you that will matter...

The answer is that there isn't anything wrong with these people, but there's something wrong with you.

 

[Krynj]

A few of my friends and I participate in some Wiffle ball tournaments in the summer. One of them is just for fun, and the other is for charity. There's always ONE team there that wears eye-black, and even has uniforms and all that. They're good, but they take it way too seriously, and make themselves look like fools.

 

[spacejamz]

The answer is that there isn't anything wrong with these people, but there's something wrong with you.

You are obviously more a man because you can totally humiliate your opponents who can't even hit the broadside of a barn...

It's a FVCKIN charity event against people who obviously don't play alot of pickup basketball...

But bravo to you and your manliness (and your lack of ability to win with class)!!!!

 

[Numenorean]

A few of my friends and I participate in some Wiffle ball tournaments in the summer. One of them is just for fun, and the other is for charity. There's always ONE team there that wears eye-black, and even has uniforms and all that. They're good, but they take it way too seriously, and make themselves look like fools.

Anyone that plays wiffle ball is a fool if they are older than 5 or so.

 

[Numenorean]

You are obviously more a man because you can totally humiliate your opponents who can't even hit the broadside of a barn...

It's a FVCKIN charity event against people who obviously don't play alot of pickup basketball...

But bravo to you and your manliness (and your lack of ability to win with class)!!!!

If you can't play, why sign up? The only way anyone would be humiliated is if they signed up and obviously have no athletic ability at all.

What, you think I should throw a game just so you can feel better about yourself or something?

 

[spacejamz]

If you can't play, why sign up? The only way anyone would be humiliated is if they signed up and obviously have no athletic ability at all.

What, you think I should throw a game just so you can feel better about yourself or something?

Why did we sign up? BECAUSE IT IS A CHARITY EVENT YOU MORON!!!!

 

[Numenorean]

Why did we sign up? BECAUSE IT IS A CHARITY EVENT YOU MORON!!!!

Why not just donate and let the people who want to actually play and compete do so? Or don't bitch that "ZOMG THERE ARE PEOPLE BETTER THAN US!!!".

 

[HopJokey]

<Herm Edwards>HELLO! You play to win the game...</Herm Edwards>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMk5sMHj58I&feature=related

 

[HopJokey]

I agree you didn't have to play basketball to contribute to the charity.

Also:

I helped out a friend this weekend in a charity event (Teams for Children)...Basically, it was corporate challenge where 6 large organizations competed in volleyball, basketball, other events for charity.

The first event was basketball. On our team was 5 guys who probably haven't been on a court in 10 years...It was pretty obvious that we weren't going to compete for 1st place against the two teams who brought their ringers with them...

The ref had to warn one team we played that you cannot stick your knee out to stop someone from going by you. Another team we played was setting picks and running plays.

I guess the days of having a nice friendly game are long gone. Either that or my expectations of a game for charity at this level were grossly incorrect...

/end of weak rant...

I think if you compete you should try and do your best as long as it is within the rules of the game (sportsmanship). The first team which was kind of playing dirty so that was probably wrong of them. The second team running plays and such would be fine by me. Even though I through out Herm Edwards "You play to win the game" rant in jest I think it has some merit; why play if you aren't trying to win? If you try your best and come out on the short end of the stick then so be it.

 

[KeithP]

It's a FVCKIN charity event against people who obviously don't play alot of pickup basketball...

Actually, from your description, it sounds like some of the teams participating did play pickup basketball and only your team sucked. You got your clock cleaned, deal with it and hang up the phone to the waaambulance.

-KeithP

 

[tokie]

Presumably a better quality game (brought about by a more competitive atmosphere) would raise more money for the charity.

Who would want to donate money to watch some fat slobs in a 10-10 basketball game after an hour?

 

[Krynj]

Anyone that plays wiffle ball is a fool if they are older than 5 or so.

You'd be surprised by how popular a sport Wiffle ball is. You should see the crazy pitches some people can throw with a Wiffle ball. Definitely tons of skill involved.

 

[spacejamz]

Why not just donate and let the people who want to actually play and compete do so? Or don't bitch that "ZOMG THERE ARE PEOPLE BETTER THAN US!!!".

Most of the people 'competing' were there to have fun in the name of a good cause, not to show up and kick everyone's ass or show up to get their ass kicked in charity event...

The same level of asshole-ness wasn't there for the volleyball part probably because they can't humiliate their opponents as badly...

It is pretty fucking sad that some people are not familiar with the concept of "there is a time and place for everything"...

 

[edro]

Cable Guy lol

 

[twinrider1]

Clip of Numenorean playing basketball with his son


Yes, the kneeing was out of line, but the ref called it. I have no problem with running plays/trying to win in general. It would depend on their attitudes I suppose. If they were into it enough to have set plays, they were probably good enough to beat you guys handily without getting super physical with hard picks, big elbow, etc. If they were doing that, then yea, they were being dicks.

 

[Krazy4Real]

I don't see anything wrong with taking a game seriously. I do hate the sticking your knee out during picks thing. That annoys the hell out of me. If somebody keeps doing that to me, I purposely run my knee into their thigh as I'm passing them. That usually gets them to stop.

 

[Geocentricity]

OP's rant is weak.

Just because it's charity doesn't mean it won't attract those who actually play those sports well and, possibly, competitively outside of work.

Perhaps Charity Pie-Eating is more suitable for you?