The Annual Region 214 Coaches and Refs Game
by Mark Hornish
A brash young sun rose over the sparkling green pitch of South Pasadena High School last Saturday morning, October 23rd, awakening long-forgotten soccer spirits for the annual Region 214 Coaches and Refs game. The strapping on of athletic tape, braces, splints, bandages, guards, the application of lotions, oils, tonics, and and, yes, even unguents, dominated the early morning chill. When the first whistle blew to announce the start of play, it resembled not so much a summoning of will as it did the clarion call of great, long-forgotten gods, meeting on the battle-plaine, to settle old scores and celebrate immortality, nothing less. Men. Women. Heroes all.
Hyperbole? Perhaps. But what else do we have? Our stories of past greatness carry us, not we them. And so we play, to honor our children, to honor our childhoods, and, of course, to honor the game.
Oh, and of course, to have fun. Once again, the turnout for the annual game was exceptional, with close to fifty players taking the pitch by the time the refs blew the whistle. As ever, the sides were well turned out, thanks, much thanks, to the tireless efforts of Michelle Provan. The blue kit looked sweet, but this reporter found himself naturally gravitating to the north side of the pitch, where the new olive green strip was distributed. After the obligatory "no-slide tackling" warning got underway, and multiple, mutual silent prayers were uttered ("dear lord, please don't let it be me who gets injured in this years' game,") play began. The result is, of course, beside the point. What mattered was the spirit of the game, that was at once convivial and competitive. Still, there are a few things worth note:
- for the first time in memory, both teams had goalkeepers, guys with gloves and long-sleeve shirts and other strange body armor who didn't want to play anywhere else.
- a teenager scored the most goals, and the oldest man on the field banged home the game's only PK.
- there were only two severe injuries - a blown ankle (of course), and a separated shoulder. About par for this game.
The game was officiated by the grand poobahs of the Region's referee force. Much thanks to Rick Leddy, Anne Louit, and Dave Vosler for calling the game. There is entirely no truth to the rumor that the coaches are organizing an eyeglass fund for these wonderful volunteers.
Also grand plaudits go to Region 214 Power-Couple Hank Moravec and Tracy Green, who, after volunteering their time to organize another successful Opening Day, stepped up to the plate a second time this season by organizing the game, right down to the donuts.
Last but not least, the tireless efforts of our beloved commissioner, Kate Gibson, should be noted. I'm guessing she handles about 200 emails a day, many of them from this writer. Thanks for putting up with the purple prose, Kate. No one else will.
And finally, thanks and praise to all the coaches who show up year after year, not just for this game, but for all the kids, season after season, guiding them through the joys and tribulations of life, as metaphor for soccer. Or is it the other way around? A worthy debate, to be carried on next year.