On Soccer Games and SCOTUS

Every spring and fall I spend a lot of time at the soccer fields watching my offspring participate in this delightful vernal/autumnal suburban ritual. I've never been all that deeply invested in the athletics my children play. By that I mean that I am glad they have the opportunity to play and it's fun to watch them but I don't really care about the outcome.

Even at the six- and seven-year-old level it's amazing how intense it gets. Parents, players, and coaches, especially get pretty invested and heated sometimes. Even I, who am pretty apathetic about sports, find myself getting caught up in the heat of the moment. I have an investment and I have an interest in the outcome.

Granted, the stakes of a little league soccer game are not all that high. If someone wins, or loses, it doesn't really have much of an impact on their life.

Even so, it is important that the game is played fairly, important that there are clear rules that apply to all the players and that these rules are adhered to by all. It's also important that there is someone who can enforce these rules on all sides.

Since this enforcer has the ability to change the outcome of the game, there are a few qualities I want in the referee. I want someone who knows how it feels to try to make a goal and miss it. I want someone who has empathy for the kid who can't run as fast. I want someone who appreciates what it feels like for a goalie to miss and let the goal in. I want someone who had a mean coach when he was younger. I want someone who is empathetic, compassionate, and who feels strongly that he should use his position to make life better for the soccer players. Someone who can see beyond limiting rules and is willing to use their life experience to change a rule if it's working against someone or if a team is having a hard time because of that rule. I want a ref who is not afraid to even things and out and level the playing field. If one team is winning by too large a margin, then the ref ought to be able to make the losing team's goals count double or triple. Or quadruple. Or the ref ought to be able to minimize players on the winning team. Or add players to the losing team. Or both. Really, whatever they want, whatever they think. Especially, whatever they feel is right. This is the only just way to play soccer.

I mean, the rules were made a long time ago by whom? A bunch of adults who don't really know what impact their rules might have on real kids in the middle of a game. The rules are guidelines but ought not be followed blindly. Some of the rules aren't fair so the ref ought to be able to change them.

Yep, others might want a ref who is impartial, eagle-eyed, and knows the rules back and forth, who is consistent in applying the rules equally for everyone. Not me. That's why I think it's just great that President Obama has announced that in looking for a new Supreme Court justice, he wants someone with empathy and understanding of people's life experiences and challenges. Because it is as important and just as relevant for the Supreme Court to rule based on how people feel as it is for that ref to take into account how my child feels if his team is losing. Right? I mean, if my kid's team is being clobbered by the other team, and my kid's team is a lot shorter or slower, or if it's really hurtful to be losing, shouldn't the ref step in?

One other thought. I want a ref who isn't limited by the rules our league uses. Rather, I want one who is willing to consult with the rules set by other leagues and other refs. How do we know our league has the best rules? It should all be at the ref's discretion, really. We should trust that he or she knows best and just sit back enjoy the game.