Nit-picky thing that will bother me, so here goes.

Double digit mismatch the whole game, team ahead has all their young guys in.

Team getting beat hits a shot and kid gathers the ball about 4 feet inbounds and is clearly waiting for the kid that is supposed to inbound the ball. Wait, wait, so okay I'm starting my 5 second count...remember this is the team way ahead with just a few minutes left...I hit 2 on my count as the intended thrower gets there and gets a pass directly into his feet, and the ball goes to the wall a good 15 feet away.

Instinctively I suspended my count until the kid retrieved the ball and picked it back up at 3.

The pass comes in before a 5 count and the other team fouls, and I hear it from the coach.

I tell him I could not penalize a kid when the ball got away like that, and he...correctly...pointed out the other player's delay.

All I could say was, "I heard you coach and you are right."

My partner said he'd have done the same thing in that situation, but I'd like other opinions.

Serious T-day indigestion is at stake.:D

I'll take a crack at it. Last night I had a similar thing happen but to the losing team. The winning team, ahead by about 40, scores and the player on the losing team gets the ball. When he gets set along the end line I start the count. At two he turns and tosses me the ball. I gave it back to him and re-started my count. No one seemed to mind but that's what I did. Not sure if it makes you feel any better. Have a great Thanksgiving.

By rule, the ball is clearly at the team's disposal when the kid is holding it 4 feet inbounds. But I think most of us give the inbounding team the benefit of the doubt and don't start our counts at that point unless they are obviously trying to delay.

If the ball got 15 feet away, you could've blown the whistle and then administered the throw-in yourself, I guess. But I can't argue with the spirit of what you did.

I certainly don't think I would've had a 5-second call there.

How about a 3 second call?

Or maybe just start working on your football picks?

3 seconds in the lane in the backcourt?

You must have started your picks really early.:D

Yes BZ, it's what we in my country call a joke.

Based on the long boring exchange Plentysquirrels & I had earlier.

How about a Thanksgiving "shut up"? :p

And a Thanksgiving shut up to you too!

Peace on Earth and a Thanksgiving shut up to everyone!

BZ, I can't really see how you could have a complaint anyway you did it. You could suspend the count as you did and resume it. You could restart the count at 1. You could have blown the whistle and handed him/her the ball to resume play. The point was just to get the ball back in play. It was a blow out game. It was your discretion. Remember, much of the game is played in tricky area of gray, not just black and white. That's what separates rule book refs and truly good game refs. Now, ENJOY YOUR THANKSGIVING and eat some extra dressing for me!

And a mannequin in a pear tree!!

I see no problem and would do same thing.

Smokey

Thanks for all the replies, even yours Dan.:D

It was just one of those weird plays that catches you and leaves you thinking.

Had it been the team behind 15, I would not have thought twice about it.

Had it been the top 7 players instead of the bottom of the bench, I'd have probably kept my count going.

It was one of those common sense, do what is right for the situation, type of plays and it is always that type of play that makes me dwell.

I hope you will all be able to fit into your pants after today.:D

[Edited by blindzebra on Nov 24th, 2005 at 12:48 PM]

And a mannequin in a pear tree!! [/B][/QUOTE]

I hate it when they play Christmas music during the Thanksgiving holiday :D

What level of play?
 

Jr.High??
H.S. Sub-varsity??
Varsity??

I would most likely hit the whistle and re-administer the throw-in, especially at the lower levels.