Normal Landing ...

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

What difference does that make?

Same rules.

Middle school kids want to win just as bad as varsity kids, and they deserve officials that know the rules.

Yes, I have severe arthritis in my right foot.

Yes, I no longer run like a gazelle.

Yes, I have unilaterally and voluntary taken myself off the varsity list.

Varsity games "mean more" than middle school games in that wins and losses count toward something, post season play. Almost all middle schools in my local area are independent and do not belong to a league or conference, and don't keep standings. There are no post season middle school playoffs or tournaments. My lack of mobility should not impact varsity games, varsity standings, varsity seeding, varsity players, varsity coaches, varsity fans, or most importantly, my varsity partners. I won't allow it.

So, why should I not also give up middle school games?

My limited mobility must be weighed against my forty-plus years of experience; my availability to officiate difficult-to-assign mid-afternoon games; and my enthusiasm for officiating subvarsity (middle school, freshman, junior varsity) basketball games.

I've heard from many middle school coaches that they appreciate having a veteran official work their games, a veteran official who actually “wants to be there”. Most coaches smile and greet me warmly when I walk into the gym. They know that I know the rules, want to be there, and will give 100% effort.

Many middle school coaches are used to "brand new" rookie officials, some of whom don't yet know if the basketball is stuffed or inflated (some never will); or "washed up" guys who have never been a varsity official, or never will be a varsity official, who are there, not because they want to be there, but because they want the money. They just want to get in, get out, and get paid. Not me.

I'm four, or five, years into this now. I have yet to hear complaints. From coaches. From athletic directors. From site directors. From fans. From players. From colleagues. And most importantly, from my assigner.

I have told my assigner, on many occasions, that if he hears of any complaints about my lack of mobility from coaches, athletic directors, site directors, or my colleagues, to please let me know and then we can have a discussion about my future in officiating. Fewer games. Just middle school (not freshmen or junior varsity). Just girls. Or no games and just have me sell raffle tickets at the door of our meetings.

You posted a test question that not everyone here takes that test. Did you get the answer wrong? And if you did do you bore them with the emails and correspondence that you do here? When we have test questions that are bad, we contact the people that wrote the damn thing.

I would expect this from a rookie, not someone that has been doing it nearly as long as me or longer. I get if a rookie has not seen enough basketball to know how to apply this basic rule, but not someone like you. And you keep bringing up these "what ifs" as if it helps the rest of us out.

Clearly, the moderators have left the barn. This used to never be the case or it would be addressed.

We get it you agonize over every single word on a test. But you do that here which is not the purpose of your personal social media page. People answer your questions and you still go on and on. My God man, doesn't this get old to you too?

Peace