[redwhiteblue]

Hello. First post, and I came here to get some input from refs/officials/umps who work a variety of sports.

Briefly, like most people here, I've been a spectator at many sporting events, from NFL to little kids' soccer for many, many years. My question has to do with an unconventional sport, roller derby.

I enjoy going to see it on occasion, and have a friend who referees the sport (these days, it isn't scripted like the old 70s version). I'm frequently amazed at the time the referees take to decide disputed calls. Five and ten minute long "officials" time outs are not uncommon. The RD refs are paid nothing to very little, but even in Pop Warner football, when the refs huddle up, a call is made in a minute or two, tops.

Has anybody seen any data on how long "officials" timeouts (not coach-called ones) generally take for various sports, or can offer any insight on specific rules in place that limit the duration of "officials" timeouts in an effort to keep the gameplay moving along and the fans from getting restless?

As clarification, I am referring mainly to timeouts called by officials themselves, when they want to confer about rules, or talk over a disagreement amongst themselves.

Thanks!