[BMI]

First off let me say how great it feels to finally post a question about something other than dating:)

I have a troublesome situation, although I'm not sure I've posted it in the right place I hope you'll read on.

My brothers and I joined a Basketball team recently and the team is made up of a mix between my brother's friend's and my own. We recently got into an argument over how the team should be run in order for us to be competitive as none on the team have any experience playing organized basketball (we're streetballers yo!). My contention was to run it like... well a... basketball team. Meaning that we start our 5 best players and rotate our weaker players in when the starters tire. My brother objects because he feels that everyone, regardless of ability, should be afforded the same amount of playing time as we got into this to have fun. I don't disagree with his kindness but rather I am concerned over the competitiveness of our team if we implement this strategy. I agreed to play regardless but my brother's know I'm against it and would rather field a team with the best chance to win.

So, a guy on the team asks me and my brothers if we would like to join a indoor soccer team (me and my bro's are at a high level). I ask if the team isany good and was told that the player's are pretty decent but me and my bro's would be the best players. I accepted the offer and we were to play a friendly yesterday and begin the season next week.

We played this exhibition game yesterday night, not knowing the level of skill of the opposition (we are in the lowest division) and we got humiliated 11-0. The other team was far better than the lowest division and so I do have an issue with the league for placing such unbalanced group together (the fee's are high enough that they could spend time reviewing this). During the game I became frusterated and this frusteration showed through my body language. I did notinsult anyone but rather just felt as if this was sooo one-sided that any enjoyment that was to be found was just crushed. Also, the other team was quite improper running up the score and taking advantage of lesser skilled players to their enjoyment. Add that all up and hell yeah I was pissed. After the game the team talked about how we can improve which made me laugh inside. This team cannot possibly learn the fundamentals of soccer in but one week.

My brothers and I then got into an argument which follows the same basis as the basketball team. It is my opinion that this team is not capable of playing in a division at this place (evidenced by the score and that this is their lowest division). Before we play officailly (and thus losing our money) now would be the time to say hey, I'd love to play but not like this, lets save our money and those that wish to play may continue to play. Now my brothers feel like I am abandoning the team because if I were to leave than the team would be desperate to try and fill the void monetarily as well as skill wise (not so much the latter considering the score) also that I've made a commitment. I was also told that my behaviour was not very team orientated in that I showed my frusteration on the field. What my brother's are essentially saying (to me at least) is that I MUST play for the team and if (most likely when) we are beaten handily every week that I should not show any emotion or frusteration for fear that the rest of the team may think us brothers aren't nice guys!!

I'm sorry it is so long but it really baffle's me as to what I can do. NOBODY had fun yesterday, it was really embarrassing especially when I take playing soccer very competitively. I find itodd that the concept is that everyone here is just out to have fun yet we lose by touchdowns and nobody has fun getting creamed like that. The basketball may well be headed down the same path (we start in 2 weeks) and I just feel that the money I spent on both leagues could be used to do something that does not involve getting embarrassed and frusterated. Seems like I'm in a no win situation here.

Thanks a million forreading throughthis and any opinions would be helpful. Please feel free to comment on what I could possibly do and also if you think my actions were justafiable or was I being a jerk?

[Gernald]

Honestly it sounds like you were being a jerk.

Winning isn't everything and in order to get better at something like sports practice is needed... practice that they get by playing. Playing for a team that looses all the time is not nearly as bad as a team that only lets certain people get better at the sport and lets the others rot on the bench.
If you really want to be a TEAM PLAYER then you will help those that need help and do the best you can at games.

Sometimes it's better to have fun playing the game than it is to have fun winning it. Otherwise, what would be the point of playing at all... would it be just to win, doesn't sound like a good reason to me.

[Fr_Chuck]

Let me see a team you never played with before, never practiced with played a game and lost,? Is anyone surprised you did not know the strenghts of team mates, did not know how to work as a team, and I would quess had people who tried to be super stars.

If after 4 or 5 weeks of practice together then you may be a team

And most of these tpes of teams are for the fun, sounds like you are not having fun just playing and hanging out with friends