Tale of a Drafted Clock Operator.....

[grunewar]

Well, I did the clock again for another Fresh/JV game last night. Certainly a different perspective for sure.

Biggest issue(s) I had was the buzzer stuck at the of the first quarter and wouldn't go off.....and only 2 1/2 of the four clocks in the gym worked the first game. Really confusing for the players as the one clock time kept "sticking" a few seconds behind. Rectified between games with new board.

Refs were from a different league than mine and I was able to observe. Listened to the coaches chirp a bit. Sometimes it's actually funny to listen to. Of course they never think we call enough....or is that too much? Couple of "iffy" calls (IMO). One was a hard foul on a layup that the L called intentional - Hard foull, absolutely. Intentional, not so much.

Most interesting and "discussed call" was a long-distance TO. Ball is under A's basket. L is right there. T is starting transition(?) as the ball is "loose" and being wrestled with. T is along B's bench in the backcourt while ball was being wrestled with under A's basket. (T moved early during transition?). B coach calling for TO. Ball is loose? By the time T granted B coach the TO, A had the ball and was actually shooting a short jumper. A coach went nuts, players were frustrated, and fans got really loud. TO granted w/ some on-floor discussion w/ A coach. Ball given to B after TO..... Game was a blowout.

Key POE for me was reporting. The U did some long distance reporting and it was difficult for the me/books to see hand and arm signals clearly and hear report. A few times we had to hit the buzzer and ask him to clarify. (Note to new refs - report clearly and in plain view to be seen by table).

BOTTOM LINE - I think I got a permanent gig and a good seat for my son's Fresh and the JV games and I may even be figuring the clock out as I did much better! Now, if I can only remember to switch that darn AP arrow.....