[mick]

Originally posted by rainmaker
Really lousy game, with two very untalented teams, lots of fouls, lots of confusion, frustrated coaches, etc. (freshman girls).

I can see that the girl who is supposed to receive the ball is tying her shoes! Both these girls look at me in shock and I can hear them thinking, "Oh, no, what is the coach going to say?"

After I report, I dash over to the coach and say, "I'm sorry; if I'd known why she was having trouble, I'd have held up the ball, but once I call it, I can't take it back." Coach was nice about it, and had plenty of use for the time out, but I heard her telling the girls, next time da da da da da da.

I didn't have any choice, did I? Once I had blown, yelled, and the girls were all headed for the benches, I couldn't have called it back, could I?

Rainmaker,
If I recognized the exact purpose of the request, I would have let both benches know of my determination, before I reported a time-out to the table.
As time goes on, you will probably see a flailing shoelace before the "wearer" does.
Don't forget, officiating is not brain surgery... it's just fun. Relax more. See more.
mick