[Rich]

Being new in my state, I have an interesting schedule.

I worked varsity Friday and Saturday and middle school last night. Two middle school games with 6-minute quarters pays 5 dollars more than a varsity game, BTW.

A coach called a 30-second timeout and then started walking towards my rookie partner on the other side of the court to yell at him for not calling fouls. (Well, my partner could've left his whistle at home, but that's another story).

I don't care much for coaches taking advantage of green officials, so since I was between the huddles after administering the timeout I quickly got the coach's attention and got him back in his huddle. I must admit I read him the riot act about coming on the floor and using timeouts to berate officials instead of using them for the purpose they were designed -- to coach his kids.

He got on my partner some after that, but I clearly scared him out of saying anything to me. Good thing or bad thing, I'm not sure. I just wish my partner would've raised his hands once the entire night -- foul or violation he only blew his whistle. I mentioned this at halftime, but I just don't think it registered. Thank goodness I'm not new anymore.

In a higher level game, there would've been a technical foul. I will simply assume that the coach just didn't know any better this time. Maybe there should've been a technical this time, too, but I just didn't think it would help.

Back to varsity next. Won't have to worry about such things, I hope.

Rich