I had varsity boys 100 miles away Thursday, worked Friday, and had varsity girls Friday about 50 miles away.
Imagine my energy level working 6 rec ball games yesterday.
I worked games starting at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3. My favorite rec ball partner worked the games at 1, 2, and 3. He isn't my favorite because of his mechanics or officiating ability, but because he's a genuinely nice guy who's fun to work with.
But he was killing me at the end of the third game. My feet hurt and I had blisters forming. He has this habit of not bumping and running -- in other words, he'll call a travel right in front of his face and then take the ball for the throw in, while I run from lead to lead. And he calls a lot of travels for youth rec ball
Finally, after a travel I bumped and told him he was killing me. He laughed and ran -- but only that time.
Most top officials here give the boundary line above the free throw line on the lead's side to the trail, as Referee recommends in their book. Then again, I'm in Wisconsin, the home of Referee, so that might not be a coincidence.
I'd rather work the lines all the way up, like the NFHS manual says, but I'm flexible and will work whatever is more comfortable for my partner.
Rich