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?

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.

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.

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

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

Precision Time
 

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.

Re: Precision Time
 

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

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

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

good info
 

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.

Yes they all wear it.

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

Re: Re: Precision Time
 

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

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.

I can't resist xD
This is from there website:
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 :p alright, it's still so darn fast that no human would notice the diffrence, still, not the speed of light.

Couldn't resist :D