[just another ref]

I worked with a partner tonight with whom I had almost no experience. He's no kid, but he's younger than I am, and really bubbling with a childlike enthusiasm for the job. I found him to be quite competent, obviously having more experience with 3 man than the rest of us, and the calling of the game itself went nicely. But, from the get-go, it was like he was miked and filming a documentary. When we walked on the court, he gave a tweet and announced: "Sheriff's in town," with a big grin. He then proceeded to get out his magnifying glass as he viewed the warmup.

"Tuck in that drawstring." "Get those pins out of your hair." etc.

"No, no," pointing to a headband, "You have to turn that Nike symbol over."

The girl looked at him like he had two heads. He turned to me. (I was the R)
"Are you going to allow that?" "Allow what?" (making sure that's what he was referring to....it was) I told him one logo was allowed. He assured me that on a headband it was not. I told him I wouldn't bet the farm but I thought I was right and I certainly was not going to deny it.

But the clencher was at the start of the fourth quarter. I saw him speak to both coaches, obviously relaying information. He was telling them how many timeouts they had left. After the game I asked what that was all about, and he said that it was "in the manual."

Is it? Is this an FIBA thing? I believe he said he had "international experience."