[BillyMac]

Once showed up to watch my daughters high school varsity softball game. Athletic director, a colleague, and a friend of mine, approaches me and tells me that the junior varsity umpire didn't show, and can I work the game. I tell him that I only do basketball. He says that as a basketball official I should have enough game management, and fair play and sportsmanship, skills to handle it, and if I can't do it, the kids won't play (guilt trip ploy). So I mosey on up to the junior varsity field, meet with the two coaches and tell them that I'm only a fan, but am willing to give it a shot for the sake of the kids. I explain that if something weird comes up, like two players on the same base, interference, obstruction, infield fly rule, batting order, etc. I'm going to ask them for help. I didn't have a cup, or a mask, so I called balls and strikes from behind the pitcher. Didn't have a clicker so I used some pebbles on the ground, but still had to ask the scorekeeper for help a few times after a few foul balls. No complaints from the coaches. I actually had a good time. Athletic director sent me a check, which I returned to him and told him to put the money in the softball boosters club fund.

Similar situation at the middle school where I taught, for a soccer game, where the official was a no show. Both teams ready to go with no official anywhere in sight. Faculty manager asked me for help, same line, fair play, kids want to play, etc., etc. Talked to both coaches, explained that I was a recreation league assistant soccer coach, and that I would do the best I could. I felt that I did a good job, no problems from the coaches, even called a few offsides, so I took the check and took my wife out to dinner.