Ever wonder why we do this? Snow, ice, scary roads...

[tomegun]

I feel your pain. I've had some scary drives in West Virginia, Maryland and DC - well every drive is scary in DC!

Fortunately, the weather down here in Mississippi is great. I went to a game last night and it was probably in the high 60s. The coat closet, which only has jackets in it, doesn't get much work down here.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by tomegun

Fortunately, the weather down here in Mississippi is great. I went to a game last night and it was probably in the high 60s. The coat closet, which only has jackets in it, doesn't get much work down here.

Oh, rub it in why dontcha!

As I've said before, our commutes here in NVA and DC are bad enough without weather problems! Thankfully, they will close schools and cancel games when bad weather is TWO STATES AWAY and just "moving in this direction."

[Freddy]

Could it be reasoned that "we do this" for the following reasons?

A. It's a passion
B. It's an obsession
C. It's a career
D. It's a hobby
E. It's a means of income

For those in A, B, and C, the occasional weather obstacles you mention are no big deal.

Those in C don't usually fret, because their travel costs are probably covered.

For those in D and E, I can see how such a situation can be regretful.

I'd only hope that having to overcome occasional weather challenges on the way to a game doesn't negatively affect the way we call the game once we get there.

Here in the land of Lake Effect Snow, I've got to remind myself (in A and B) of this quite often. It helps to be self-employed and able to take off as early as I need to in order to make it to a game on schedule. My heart goes out to the majority of guys whose work schedules press them into frustrating circumstances

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Could it be reasoned that "we do this" for the following reasons?A. It's a passion;B. It's an obsession;C. It's a career;D. It's a hobby;E. It's a means of income

It's a winter hobby that I can make a little money on. I wouldn't do it for free. And I could probably make a lot more money with some other type of part-time job. Plus, as Freddy stated, it's my passion. Interscholastic basketball was, and is, my favorite sport, as a player, as a coach, as a father, as a fan, and as an official.

In the summer, I garden, flowers, lawn, and vegetables. As basketball winds down, I'm starting my seeds in the basement, under fluorescent lights. Someday a police officer will drive by my house at night, and see bright lights coming from my basement windows, night, after night, all night long. Any of you guys willing to put up some bail money for me.

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by grunewar

Oh, rub it in why dontcha!

As I've said before, our commutes here in NVA and DC are bad enough without weather problems! Thankfully, they will close schools and cancel games when bad weather is TWO STATES AWAY and just "moving in this direction."

I feel your pain. I lived in the DC area and went as far as Bluefield WV! Each year I had one trip that had me nervous to say the least.

You ever try officiating when you have a 5 hour drive ahead of you and you know there is going to be about four inches of fresh snow on your car when you're done? Focus is hard to come by in those situations.

Let's not even talk about the fact that traffic in DC is rough on a sunny 75 degree day. Bad weather makes it harder.