It doesn't get any better than this!!

[MN BB Ref]

Friday night I had my final Varsity contest of the season (still have 3 B/JV boys games next week). It was a matchup of two 20-4 teams with the conference championship at stake...winner take all. The visiting team had won on their home court earlier in the season by 19 points and the home team was more than ready to return the favor.

Knowing prior to the start of the season that this game would probably be what it ended up being, I asked a very good official in my association (she's been selected to work the quarterfinals and semifinals of this year's state tourney) if she would like to work this contest with me. She said yes and I was anticipating this game all season long.

Being that this was a small town school, we also had to work the JV game. This was nice as we had never worked together before and it gave us an opportunity to fine-tune our communication on the court even though I thought we did a nice pre-game together.

Finally we are out on the court for the varsity pre-game warmups and the place is pure bedlam. The band is playing so loud that I can't hear a word my partner is saying during the captain's meeting. There isn't a seat left in the entire gym...only standing room. Both teams are warming up with a purpose that I hadn't seen all season long.

Finally at the 2 minute mark prior to the game we are met by the local NBA team's mascot at mid-court. He wants us to huddle with him while he's explaining what he would like to do for entertainment tonite. Funny, I've seen this mascot performing for the past 17 years and this is the first time I've ever heard him talk. Anyway, he signals me to get on the court and I see no harm in it and he proceeds to act as if he's stretching out my hamstrings. This got a nice reaction from the crowd and we got quite a few smiles as we approached the table for team introduction and the national anthem.

Pregame player introductions produced more bedlam from the crowd as each team was well represented in the stands. On top of that, not a negative word was heard from either crowd when the other team's players were introduced.

Finally the game starts and the intensity sky rocketed. The visitors were on defense after losing the tip and they set up in a zone in order to deny the home team's best player a chance to get the ball inside (she's 6-3 and when I was working a game there last year she was being scouted by Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Purdue). The home team doesn't blink and they calmly work the ball around the perimeter for nearly 2 minutes before the big girl takes an open three and drains it. THe crowd erupts.

The rest of the game was pure bedlam everytime someone scored. The coaches coached, the players played, and the fans cheered. Hardly a negative word was heard the entire time. The mascot worked his magic during timeouts and at half-time and the band played on.

For our part, the game was well-officiated. My partner and I made a few early calls that set the tempo for the type of game we were calling and the players played within those constraints. No reaching and grabbing, good hard defense, no hand-checking, or wrestling for position.

Even though the final score ended up with the home team avenging their early season loss by a 22 point margin, it never seemed as if this was a blowout. The players played with the same intensity from the opening tip to the final horn.

After the game my partner and I both said this was the funnest game we can ever recall working. That's saying something for her as she is a regular at the state tournament and I have yet to work one. Regardless, the AD found me after the game and inquired as to my availability next season. My answer was a resounding yes.

Even today, two days later, I still have a smile on my face when I think of this game. It will last me throughout the offseason and I can't wait for the 2006-2007 season even though I still have a week left in this season.

I just wanted to share this overly long missive with all of you because I knew you could appreciate this situation in a way that non-officials never could.

I hope your seasons all end on a high note like this.

Dave

[Dan_ref]

Originally posted by MN BB Ref

Finally at the 2 minute mark prior to the game we are met by the local NBA team's mascot at mid-court. He wants us to huddle with him while he's explaining what he would like to do for entertainment tonite. Funny, I've seen this mascot performing for the past 17 years and this is the first time I've ever heard him talk. Anyway, he signals me to get on the court and I see no harm in it and he proceeds to act as if he's stretching out my hamstrings. This got a nice reaction from the crowd and we got quite a few smiles as we approached the table for team introduction and the national anthem.

Dave, sounds like you had a great game.

But (you knew that was coming, eh? ), I really don't think I would have let this entertainer dictate the rules of engagement for this game. If anything he should have come to you much earlier, explained what his act entails and asked if you have any problems with it. I think at least 2 ground rules should apply:

1. Stay completely away from the court during a live ball.

2. Absolutely no way, no how will the officials be part of his act. Rule 2 was violated before the tip.

Just my opinion, maybe others will chime in.

[JugglingReferee]

I got no prob with an official as part of the prank. But, just one, before the game and it lasts like 20 seconds max. IOW, short and sweet.

Nice job on the court!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Dan_ref
[/B]

I think at least 2 ground rules should apply:

1. Stay completely away from the court during a live ball.

[/B][/QUOTE]That's funny. I've heard that a couple of your partners(not to mention coaches) have said that particular rule should apply to you also.

[Dan_ref]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

I think at least 2 ground rules should apply:

1. Stay completely away from the court during a live ball.

[/B]

That's funny. I've heard that a couple of your partners(not to mention coaches) have said that particular rule should apply to you also. [/B][/QUOTE]

Yeah, so? What's your point?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Dan_ref
[/B]

Yeah, so? What's your point? [/B][/QUOTE]You watching the Olympics?

How 'bout them Austrians?

[Snake~eyes]

I disagree with Dan, I'd have no problem joking around with the mascot, I'm out there to have fun and I don't think it hurts anything to do so.

[MN BB Ref]

I too believe in acting like a professional when I'm on the court, but in this case it was a special treat to have "Crunch" from the Timberwolves there and I thought it would be nice to "humanize" the officials...for the fans to see that we do have a sense of humor and aren't completely full of ourselves. At the same time, we obviously had limits and we discussed all the "fun" with the mascot before tipoff.

I wouldn't hesitate to do this again and I have no regrets for having done it.

Dave

[IdahoRef]

Way to go! Some officials wouldn't "lower" themselves to letting a mascot do that. I admire your willingness to start the evening off with a nice touch. We need more officials like you. Isn't the main reason we have basketball is to have fun? Have a nice off-season.

[canuckrefguy]

Originally posted by Dan_ref

Dave, sounds like you had a great game.

But (you knew that was coming, eh? ), I really don't think I would have let this entertainer dictate the rules of engagement for this game. If anything he should have come to you much earlier, explained what his act entails and asked if you have any problems with it. I think at least 2 ground rules should apply:

1. Stay completely away from the court during a live ball.

2. Absolutely no way, no how will the officials be part of his act. Rule 2 was violated before the tip.

Just my opinion, maybe others will chime in.

The way it was described, sounds like a bit of harmless fun to me. But I understand Dan's reservations, and also wonder about the "where do we draw the line" issue.

Many say such actions help humanize the refs and make them more a part of the "fun" of the event, but that always fades anyway - as soon as you make an unpopular call.

[WooPigSooie]

Congratulations on the great end to your season. Wish, mine could have been better. This was my first year officiating high school ball after paying my dues with JH and JV games the last couple of years while in college. Huge shortage of officials in my area so, I am stuck calling a regular season finale that will decide a boys conference championship. Gym is packed. Teams are long-standing rivals. Tension high.

Tight game all the way through. Tied with 4 seconds left on the clock. Home team is inbounding in their frontcourt. Inbound pass is intercepted by the visitors. Visiting player is one on one with his defender on a fast break. Home defender tries to establish position but never does. As the visiting player goes up for the shot, major contact. TWEET. I decisively call it a block. Shoot two shots, both of which are made with no time on the clock.

Home team fans are going crazy and, for the first time in my officiating career, I HAVE to be escorted to my car by police.

I know it was the correct call so I am not going to beat myself up over it, but still alot for my young, 23 yr. old brain to chew on until next season. Man, while couldnt I have ended the year with a healthy 20 pt. blowout!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by WooPigSooie
Huge shortage of officials in my area so, I am stuck calling a regular season finale that will decide a boys conference championship. Gym is packed. Teams are long-standing rivals. Tension high.

I decisively call it a block. Shoot two shots, both of which are made with no time on the clock.

Home team fans are going crazy and, for the first time in my officiating career, I HAVE to be escorted to my car by police.

Man, while couldnt I have ended the year with a healthy 20 pt. blowout!

Good job. That's a tough game to throw a new official in.

Games like this are a heckuva lot more fun anyway than any blowout could be. Seriously.

Great way for both you and MN BB Ref to end your seasons....

[ChuckElias]

Doesn't get any better?

Sure it does.

Most of us only work 16 minutes in a half, not 18.

Seriously, I'm glad it was such a positive experience.

[robertclasalle]

Originally posted by WooPigSooie
Congratulations on the great end to your season. Wish, mine could have been better. This was my first year officiating high school ball after paying my dues with JH and JV games the last couple of years while in college. Huge shortage of officials in my area so, I am stuck calling a regular season finale that will decide a boys conference championship. Gym is packed. Teams are long-standing rivals. Tension high.

Tight game all the way through. Tied with 4 seconds left on the clock. Home team is inbounding in their frontcourt. Inbound pass is intercepted by the visitors. Visiting player is one on one with his defender on a fast break. Home defender tries to establish position but never does. As the visiting player goes up for the shot, major contact. TWEET. I decisively call it a block. Shoot two shots, both of which are made with no time on the clock.

Home team fans are going crazy and, for the first time in my officiating career, I HAVE to be escorted to my car by police.

I know it was the correct call so I am not going to beat myself up over it, but still alot for my young, 23 yr. old brain to chew on until next season. Man, while couldnt I have ended the year with a healthy 20 pt. blowout!

You had the stones to make the right call. That's what separates the good from the great. I applaud you for doing what was right. The visiting team has rights, too.

[Corndog89]

My last game...league tournament finals, winner goes to state, loser is done, home team wins in triple OT. Fabulous, well-played game with coaches staying out of the officials chili. The only bad part...I was watching from the stands instead of running the floor. FRUSTRATING!! Working a close semi-final the night before was good, but..........