Fox 40 Whistle Condoms

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Neither does the mask with the pocket, or the mask you (well, I, and almost all I've seen) wear every day (unless you are wearing an N95 mask or similar.

I believe that LRZ is referring to the fact that while this spittle bag will reduce droplets from a sounded whistle it won't stop droplets coming from the nose or mouth of an official who is simply talking or breathing (as would be reduced if one was wearing a surgical mask).

And he's correct.

By now most people realize that surgical masks are worn by people to protect others, not themselves. Only N95 masks can offer some protection to one's self.

[LRZ]

Yes, thank you for clarifying, BillyMac. I should have been clearer.

In any event, this was likely to be my final year. But my retirement may have already occurred.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I believe that LRZ is referring to the fact that while this spittle bag will reduce droplets from a sounded whistle it won't stop droplets coming from the nose or mouth of an official who is simply talking or breathing (as would be reduced if one was wearing a surgical mask).

And he's correct.

By now most people realize that surgical masks are worn by people to protect others, not themselves. Only N95 masks can offer some protection to one's self.

Thank you. I misread. I will say that the little bag is better than nothing, and the full mask is better than the little bag.

Where one gets "enough" benefit with an acceptable amount of discomfort is beyond my pay grade.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I will say that the little bag is better than nothing ...

A Forum member buddy of mine with intimate knowledge of the WNBA and NBA sent me this photo of the whistle "spittle bag" we've been discussing.

I can't find it anywhere on the internet, so I don't know the cost, or how to order it.

[OkieZebra]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

A Forum member buddy of mine with intimate knowledge of the WNBA and NBA sent me this photo of the whistle "spittle bag" we've been discussing.

I can't find it anywhere on the internet, so I don't know the cost, or how to order it.

They're posted at the Fox40 web shop with an expected ship date of mid month as of earlier this week.

https://fox40shopusa.com/collections/whistle-mask-1

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Even Rocky Balboa did not use condominiums.

MTD, Sr.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by OkieZebra

https://fox40shopusa.com/collections/whistle-mask-1

The Pouch is best used with a Fox 40 Classic Cushioned Mouth Grip ...

While many love the Fox 40 Classic Cushioned Mouth Grip, I've tried it several times and for some reason I chew the soft "cushion" and quickly rip the "cushion" to shreds. I don't seem to chew on the Fox 40 Classic.

[LRZ]

Sorry for the monster-sized image, but I don't know how to shrink it. In any event, try this version of a whistle mask:

https://www.allsportsofficials.com/c...ghtwhistlemask

[BillyMac]

With the two large "whistle masks" that we've seen in this thread (not the small "whistle pouch"), it seems that it would be difficult for the official to remove the whistle from one's mouth to speak, and to put the whistle back in one's mouth to officiate, something officials do dozens of times in every game. But these two large "whistle masks" would do fairly well (though not great) at protecting others and possibly one's self (according to very recent studies).

Not so with the small "whistle pouch", easy for the official to remove the whistle from one's mouth to speak, and easy to put the whistle back in one's mouth to officiate, although not protecting others (nose isn't covered) and possibly one's self.

Of course, an official can wear a surgical mask (protecting others and possibly one's self) and speak freely the whole game if one were to use an electronic whistle.



I finished reading the book The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History (the 1918 Spanish Flu), by John M. Barry, a few weeks ago; and I'm about halfway through the twenty-four thirty-minute video lectures of Great Courses: The Black Death: The World's Most Devastating Plague, by medieval historian Dr. Dorsey Armstrong.

COVID-19 is a pussycat compared to those pandemics, but even pussycats have sharp teeth and claws.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

By now most people realize that surgical masks are worn by people to protect others, not themselves. Only N95 masks can offer some protection to one's self.

Not so. The *primary* benefit is to others, but there is also a benefit to the wearer. The understanding of masks is evolving.

https://www.npr.org/2020/07/20/89322...aring-them-too

[RefsNCoaches]

So has anyone purchased one of these masks for use this year?

If we are mandated to wear a mask, I'm hanging up the whistle. I was only planning on running 2-3 more seasons starting with this year anyway...

I'd like to keep going until my younger daughter gets into her Jr year of college (she's a Freshman at IU this year)...my child support obligation will be fulfilled at that point and the money I make officiating, while nice and helps out with that and some personal stuff, won't be as much needed at that point.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by RefsNCoaches

I was only planning on running 2-3 more seasons starting with this year anyway ...

I was just assigned to my board's rookie mechanics training and evaluation committee. If that seems to satisfy my need to keep some skin in the officiating game, I may also be ready to get off the court.

I have a consultation with a foot/ankle orthopedic specialist next week to see if my painful bone spur can be fixed. If not, it will be another year of middle school games, or no games at all, for me.

If my ankle can be fixed, and if I can get my varsity schedule back (I voluntarily gave it back two seasons ago), I may consider a few more years on the court.

While I like doing middle school games (I was definitively needed and appreciated for doing these mid-afternoon games), I didn't "like like" them.

I missed the camaraderie of four officials, including at least two veteran officials, at a site for a junior varsity game and a varsity game, observing each other's games, discussing the games, and catching up on our personal lives.

Middle school games here are just stand alone single games. These schools often lack secure dressing areas, and do not have shower facilities available, so it's more of a come dressed, get in, get out, and get paid situation.

For the young'uns (poor audio quality):

https://youtu.be/moeY_ZGWD5o

[RefsNCoaches]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I was just assigned to my board's rookie mechanics training and evaluation committee. If that seems to satisfy my need to keep some skin in the officiating game, I may also be ready to get off the court.

I have a consultation with a foot/ankle orthopedic specialist next week to see if my painful bone spur can be fixed. If not, it will be another year of middle school games, or no games at all, for me.

If my ankle can be fixed, and if I can get my varsity schedule back (I voluntarily gave it back two seasons ago), I may consider a few more years on the court.

While I like doing middle school games (I was definitively needed and appreciated for doing these mid-afternoon games), I didn't "like like" them.

I missed the camaraderie of four officials, including at least two veteran officials, at a site for a junior varsity game and a varsity game, observing each other's games, discussing the games, and catching up on our personal lives.

Middle school games here are just stand alone single games. These schools often lack secure dressing areas, and do not have shower facilities available, so it's more of a come dressed, get in, get out, and get paid situation.

For the young'uns (poor audio quality):

https://youtu.be/moeY_ZGWD5o

Hell, I never intended for Officiating to be anything other than a way to stay connected to the game after I couldn't play anymore...(lateral movement is just not fun for me).

I still work Middle School during the week and Freshman and JV ...Our Middle School games here in Indiana are 2 games, typically. Most places have a dedicated room for the Officials...sometimes a shower, sometimes not. But I'm working close enough to my house that it might only be 15-20 minutes drive home so that's not terrible.

As many games as I coached and officiated in the Sunday youth travel league my kids were a part of when they were younger...I didn't want to deal with the parents any longer...I was the Dir of Bball Operations for a new Varsity Coach at our HS a few years ago...helping him with his feeder program and the youth "travel" teams...One of our own parents (who didn't seem to know who I was when wearing stripes) decided to go there with me during game...she shut down quickly when the Asst Coach walked over to her and told her what my role with the HS program, that her daughter was playing for, was...Too many idiots in the stands at the youth games.

Truth be told, I love officiating but I love Coaching even more and helping kids better themselves as people and players. My next stop will be to try to get on with a school staff, likely Middle School....my FT job is just not conducive to 315p practices...and that's why I typically Coach in travel leagues or AAU in Spring...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by RefsNCoaches

I love officiating but I love coaching even more and helping kids better themselves as people and players.

I also did both, and I also loved coaching for reasons similar to yours, but after over twenty years of doing both I figured out that I loved officiating more.

The only way one could get me to coach again is if I were approached to coach a basketball team of orphans, if you catch my drift.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I was just assigned to my board's rookie mechanics training and evaluation committee. If that seems to satisfy my need to keep some skin in the officiating game, I may also be ready to get off the court. I have a consultation with a foot/ankle orthopedic specialist next week to see if my painful bone spur can be fixed. If not, it will be another year of middle school games, or no games at all, for me. If my ankle can be fixed, and if I can get my varsity schedule back (I voluntarily gave it back two seasons ago), I may consider a few more years on the court.

Turns out that it isn't the bone spur that's causing me my ankle pain, it's the arthritis under my right ankle. My new foot/ankle orthopedic specialist fitted me with an ankle brace that he believes will relieve some of the pain.

He also diagnosed me with a torn meniscus in my right knee. It happened back in October 2019, I thought it was a torn MCL. He advised me to keep wearing the knee brace that I've been wearing which worked great (self-diagnosed, self-prescribed) last season.

I'll probably start with middle school games next season, my fortieth (if there is a basketball season). If I feel good, I may try some varsity games.

It's tough to get old. Why is it that the players stay the same age every year while officials always get a year older?