[just another ref]

is often worse than knowing nothing at all. I went to watch the local high school at a tournament the other night. Last 2 minutes of a close game, the point guard/best player got poked in the eye getting a defensive rebound and doubled over, in obvious distress. The official apparently saw the problem, and as he approached the player signaled timeout. The official stopped next to him and accompanied him slowly to the bench. The coach then signaled and was granted a timeout. The player left for the locker room. I don't know if he had a contact lens issue, or just went to wash it out. Timeout ended, everybody looked expectantly toward the door, 9 players walked back out on the court. The coach then signaled a second timeout. The player then returned. At the end of the second timeout, he walked back out to resume the game, but the official said no, that since there had been an "injury timeout" the player was not allowed to return until after the clock had started.

oops