Tim Higgins belt

finnref · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 06, 2006, 09:38pm

Watched the Cinn-Louisville game tonight. Tim Higgins has been a long time member of my NJ board so I always watch him a little extra. I noticed that he has a small retangular box attached to the right side of his belt. He places his hand on it when not in active motion. Does anyone know what this is? Is it something he uses for officiating?

Texas Aggie · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 06, 2006, 10:56pm

Timing device. It stops the clock on his whistle. I'm not sure exactly how it works since I've never used one. I'm guessing there's some sort of a reset button, but again, not sure.

Drizzle · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 06, 2006, 11:10pm

When I was watching those boxes up close last week, it looked like at least 1 official, sometimes more than 1, flipped a switch to start the clock. So instead of chopping in the clock on a throw in, they flip a switch. I'd love to know how this works though.

gostars · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 06, 2006, 11:41pm

They're using a system called "Precision Timing". It's used by the NBA/WNBA as well as several D1 conferences and even some high schools.

Here's a link to the manufacturer of one type of system:
http://www.precisiontime.com/systems.htm

JRutledge · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 06, 2006, 11:48pm

It is called the Precision Timing System.

This is a battery operated devise that has a lanyard with a small microphone that is next to the whistle (you must use a Fox 40 BTW). When you blow the whistle the clock stops on a dime. There is a button on the belt device that allows the officials to start the clock as well. The table has a wireless remote that can start and stop the clock as well as a safety device to start the clock or stop the clock in case the officials PTS devices do not work. I have used the system about 5 times so far in my career. Many conferences use the system and have for some years now. The NBA uses the system exclusively if you watch the officials.

Peace

BktBallRef · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 06, 2006, 11:49pm

A small mic is wired from the box to the whistle lanyard. Blow the whistle, the clock stops. Press a button on the bottom of the box to start the clock.

Many college conferences have sopped using the device. It's not used in the NCAA tournament.

Snake~eyes · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 06, 2006, 11:53pm

Quote:

Originally posted by BktBallRef
Many college conferences have sopped using the device. It's not used in the NCAA tournament.

Did you mean stopped? If so, do you know why?

tjones1 · #8 (**permalink**) Tue Feb 07, 2006, 12:50am

The cool thing is this was developed by a fellow official and an Amateur Radio operator!!!

refTN · #9 (**permalink**) Tue Feb 07, 2006, 11:34am

JRut, I saw a guy use it the other night with the fox 40 dolphin, and it worked. Just letting you know.

finnref · #10 (**permalink**) Tue Feb 07, 2006, 01:26pm

thanks for the input guys. New info for me. when it is used, do all the three officials have the box wired to their whistles? I did not notice it on the other two officials working with Higgins.

Drizzle · #11 (**permalink**) Tue Feb 07, 2006, 02:28pm

Yes they all wear it.

JRutledge · #12 (**permalink**) Tue Feb 07, 2006, 02:59pm

Quote:

Originally posted by refTN
JRut, I saw a guy use it the other night with the fox 40 dolphin, and it worked. Just letting you know.

I did not say it only worked with only with a Fox 40 Classic. I said it worked with a Fox 40. It works with a Fox 40 Mini. I should know that was the only whistle a partner of mine had was a Fox 40 Mini about 3 years ago when I used the PTS during a HS game.

Peace

tjones1 · #13 (**permalink**) Tue Feb 07, 2006, 03:28pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Snake~eyes

Quote:

Originally posted by BktBallRef
Many college conferences have sopped using the device. It's not used in the NCAA tournament.

Did you mean stopped? If so, do you know why?

I'm with Snake, Tony if you could, please fill us in on why they aren't using it anymore. Thanks.

ace · #14 (**permalink**) Tue Feb 07, 2006, 08:56pm

I've heard the opposite. The NCAA Is looking to use it in the tourny. The only reason it wasn't used past the individual confrence finals last season was because not all sites had a PTS system. But I think every major DI confrence is pretty much using it these days.

crazy voyager · #15 (**permalink**) Wed Feb 08, 2006, 06:54am

I can't resist xD
This is from there website:

Quote:

instantly stopping the game clock when the whistle is blown - at the speed of light.

Erhm, how can you stop the time at the speed of light if you're using the audio to give the signal, the time would stop after the sound has reached the mic, the system realises they're there, and then the signal would be sent to stop the clock, it's not even close to the speed of light

alright, it's still so darn fast that no human would notice the diffrence, still, not the speed of light.

Couldn't resist