No Lanyard

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I always wear a lanyard, and I have made the same mistake. Earlier this season, as the umpire, I found myself in front of the home bench to start the second period. Before my partner, the referee, put the ball into play at the division line, the head coach politely asked me a question about a play that had occurred at the horn to end the previous period. I gave him a short answer, and preceeded to begin the second period. Within seconds there was an intentional kick in my primary coverage area. I tried to blow my whistle for the violation to find that I never put it back into my mouth after answering the coach. By the time I found my whistle to put it back into my mouth, my partner had already blown her whistle. Embarrased? Yes. First time? No. Will it happen again? Probably.

Last night I was trail tableside and the visiting coach wanted to discuss a call I had made on one of his players.

We're talking (actually, he's doing the talking, but I have my whistle in hand so I can respond, if needed) during a live ball and the same player commits another foul right in front of us. Probably seemed a bit delayed, but I raised my whistle to my mouth and called the foul. Kid's third in the first quarter (sub was at the table, but didn't get there quick enough after the second). Coach didn't say a word. Actually, if I remember correctly, that was the only time he wanted to discuss anything the entire game. A pleasure, actually, made up for by the home team (see other thread).