Cell phones at the table

[refnrev]

Any of you having trouble with people talking or texting with their cell phones while trying to keep the book or run the clock? I had a home scorekeeper texting his girlfriend. (I know because he's one of my son's good friends.) After I gave visitors HC a full TO, during the 45 seconds he looked up from his phone like he had no idea what was going on and had to ask me what was called, who called it, etc. Before the 2nd game I was going to tell him to lose the phone but his dad came and did the book for him

[rgncjn]

Had this problem at the varsity level last year with the scoreboard operator. She was actually talking on the phone when things started going downhill. I forget the specifics, but the clock failed to start once the ball went inbounds. When myself and another official went to speak with the woman, she did not even pay attention. My partner ended up grabbing the phone from her and told her to listen to what we were saying. My partner then gave the phone to the AD and told him not to let her have it until the game unless the situation was an emergency and, in that case, we would need a new operator.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by rgncjn

Had this problem at the varsity level last year with the scoreboard operator. She was actually talking on the phone when things started going downhill. I forget the specifics, but the clock failed to start once the ball went inbounds. When myself and another official went to speak with the woman, she did not even pay attention. My partner ended up grabbing the phone from her and told her to listen to what we were saying. My partner then gave the phone to the AD and told him not to let her have it until the game unless the situation was an emergency and, in that case, we would need a new operator.

I'm quite sure I wouldn't go as far as to physically grab the phone. As soon as I realized that she wasn't even trying to multi-task, I'd have her replaced. Skip all the talk to the AD. (Can you believe it's me saying "too much talking!?!?")

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by rgncjn

Had this problem at the varsity level last year with the scoreboard operator. She was actually talking on the phone when things started going downhill. I forget the specifics, but the clock failed to start once the ball went inbounds. When myself and another official went to speak with the woman, she did not even pay attention. My partner ended up grabbing the phone from her and told her to listen to what we were saying. My partner then gave the phone to the AD and told him not to let her have it until the game unless the situation was an emergency and, in that case, we would need a new operator.

The proper mechanic is to stand in the reporting area, blow the whistle, place your right hand near the side of your head with your thumb next to your ear and your pinky finger extended towards your mouth, and then say very loudly, "HELLO, scorekeeper, can you hear me now? I need to report a foul by Blue #21 for holding. Thank you."

[rgncjn]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

The proper mechanic is to stand in the reporting area, blow the whistle, place your right hand near the side of your head with your thumb next to your ear and your pinky finger extended towards your mouth, and then say very loudly, "HELLO, scorekeeper, can you hear me now? I need to report a foul by Blue #21 for holding. Thank you."

Haha... I will remember this mechanic the next time I inconvenience a member of the table.

[buckrog64]

Ahh for the good old days before cell phones when scorekeepers were the teachers who were paid to be at the junior high games and every once in awhile you would go to report a foul and the scorekeeper would be deep in conversation with someone sitting two rows behind them. I get started this Thursday beginning with j-high and a I have no doubt that if it isn't a cell phone ringing, it'll be someone eating pizza or some such thing.

Anyone have trouble with cell phones ringing during free throws?
Can you hear me now?

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by buckrog64

Ahh for the good old days before cell phones when scorekeepers were the teachers who were paid to be at the junior high games

Ahh for the good old days before cell phones when scorekeepers were monks writing with quill pens, the basketballs were made from dinosaur hide, the baskets were used mostly to transport peaches and the games were played in caves.

Oh yeah, the uniform numbers were Egyptian hieroglyphics.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by refnrev

Before the 2nd game I was going to tell him to lose the phone but his dad came and did the book for him.

Lost opportunity to teach the kid responsibility. Dad bailing the kid out. Tsk.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Lost opportunity to teach the kid responsibility. Dad bailing the kid out. Tsk.

Either that, or the kid was filling in for the dad who had been assigned the job, but was being lazy.

[Mark Padgett]

If someone is going to sell phones at the table during one of my games, I want a commission.

Sorry - I had my lame hat on.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Either that, or the kid was filling in for the dad who had been assigned the job, but was being lazy.

Didn't even think of that - it's a possibility.

Still, the kid shouldn't be on his cell. Where did common sense go?

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by refnrev

Any of you having trouble with people talking or texting with their cell phones while trying to keep the book or run the clock? I had a home scorekeeper texting his girlfriend. (I know because he's one of my son's good friends.) After I gave visitors HC a full TO, during the 45 seconds he looked up from his phone like he had no idea what was going on and had to ask me what was called, who called it, etc. Before the 2nd game I was going to tell him to lose the phone but his dad came and did the book for him

This is a huge pet peeve of mine. If mine is not turned off during a game, I'll let it ring and go to voice mail.

One college I worked at had a student scorekeeper who would talk on her phone during the game. I think it was one of the reasons she eventually got asked to stop doing games partly through the season.

[Back In The Saddle]

I haven't had problems with this in a basketball game (yet). But at a volleyball tourney I was working at this year the scorekeeper was watching the match, and texting at the same time. She didn't seem to miss anything. I can't even dial without looking; I have no idea how kids can text without looking.

[Adam]

Junker and I were doing a JV double header one night, and two varsity girls were working the book and enjoyed their cell phone time. If I remember correctly, he was going to have them replaced for the 2nd game but that was taken care of by the fact that the varsity boys were doing the book for that game since it was a boys JV game.

[dblref]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

This is a huge pet peeve of mine. If mine is not turned off during a game, I'll let it ring and go to voice mail.

One college I worked at had a student scorekeeper who would talk on her phone during the game. I think it was one of the reasons she eventually got asked to stop doing games partly through the season.

Why would you have it turned on at the table? If it rings in my game you are either going to turn it off, or we will be finding a replacement.