[bainsey]

Now that I've killed Eastshire's thread with candy bar footage, the least I can do is bring my own weirdness, especially after today's MS doubleheader (MS girls, then boys). There were so many unusual things today: Ball coming to rest on a flange (finally, it happened to me), honoring a coach's time out request when his team was on defense (can't remember ever doing that before), but this one takes the cake:

After my partner and I dressed for the games, we were asked by the school secretary to come into the office. She asked others to leave while she spoke to us, and closed the door. Apparently, she wanted us to be aware that there's been some behavior issues with the boys' home scorekeeper, and if we feel that a technical foul is necessary, feel free to handle it, and there will be game management ready to deal with it. This scorekeeper, in his early to mid 30s, used to be a coach, wasn't asked back, yet has somehow worked his way back into the scorekeeper's role. I pointed out that, since he's the official scorekeeper, the only true course of action we'd have is removal, and we'd do so, if necessary. The game manager also introduced herself, and told us she'd be ready if we needed her.

Bear in mind, this is a VERY small school. The only row of bleachers on one side goes four rows deep. The official scorekeeper works from a third-grade desk at the top of the bleachers. The official scorekeeper sits in the first row, near the division line. It's the first time I only had to use my "inside voice" to report fouls. And, of course, there is literally two inches between the three-point line and sideline.

I was the R for the boys' game. I went to check the book, introduced myself, found a couple of omissions (not T-worthy at this level), took care of business, and closed our conversation with something I've never said before to a time/scorekeeper, "Welcome to our team."

I thought it got the point across, and had no issues with the guy, except when he once questioned a backcourt call, as if he were coaching. I gave my answer, and he backed off. (I let him have that one. He didn't do it again.)

When we came out for the second half, I pointed out the scorekeeper to my partner, and noted my little pre-game must have been effective.

"Oh," my partner grinned, "I don't think so. I was told his mother's in the crowd tonight."