anyone ever ref a game outside?

[mutantducky]

That could be a lot of fun. I've played a game inside where the sun was shining at an angle where it was really distracting. Just thinking of spring and summer games and now would be the time.

[JugglingReferee]

One camp I went to was outside, and I've done a few NBA 3-on-3 tournaments that are outside. It's lots of fun. Bring out the SPF 500 though.

[tomegun]

I officiated a league that was outside and went to a camp that was outside. The only problem I had was the camp didn't have the best lights. It was designed for the whole camp to be outside, but it rained and we worked on some courts that were way too cramped. I would have rather been outside.

[JRutledge]

I did a summer tournament on the hardwood. It was a Men's style league, but with former D1 and some former NBA players. A lot of local Peoria and Chicago area players that were high school superstars. It was a lot of fun, along with 3 Person for every game. The tournament does not exist anymore, but it was fun the two years I did the tournament, the last year was outside. Well until one of the games it rained like crazy. Then everyone had to move inside for the semi-finals and championship.

Peace

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by mutantducky

That could be a lot of fun. I've played a game inside where the sun was shining at an angle where it was really distracting. Just thinking of spring and summer games and now would be the time.

Did a few summer league games , park district stuff with some very good players, mixed group with some very large, very tall Russian/Croatian players. a few 7' footers who would snarl at me with a foreign tongue. I told 'em "I know you're swearing at me", which drew a few laughs.

Also some ex D1 guys along with local cops to keep the peace. All this for 30 a game. Sunday mornings starting at 9:00........perfect
.
Great for tanning,

[williebfree]

Outdoor Basketball was one of the events. I was called to officiate. The boys struggle with shots during the first day (steady winds, w/ gusts to 20mph.) The second day they "wised-up" and moved the ball around better for lay-ups or dunks.

There is an 18-foot fence around the perimeter w/ coils of Concertina wire at the top. I suggested pole vault, anyone clearing the fence was free. There were no takers.

[Mark Padgett]

I once officiated a game on the deck of a cruise ship. A team had the ball in their backcourt when the ship crossed the international dateline and it became yesterday. They wanted an additional 24 hours to get the ball into frontcourt.

[rsox34]

I have officiated many games on outdoor courts during the Summer. I have reffed in a well-run outdoor league in Northeastern Massachusetts. Teams from all over Massachusetts and NH play in the league. Games are played in an urban setting in Lawrence, MA. Dealing with the sun, can be a challenge sometimes. Some officials like myself, wear sunglasses, baseball hats, and put on lots of sunscreen with a High SPF to protect ourselves from effects of the sun. I also ref a mens league at the same location in Lawrence. When it rains, games are moved indoors to a local high school.

I used to ref in some outdoor leagues in Northern Virginia before moving back to Southern NH. Also officiated Hoop It Up outside.

Players probably have a harder time adjusting to playing outdoors--especially jump shooters.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by williebfree

There is an 18-foot fence around the perimeter w/ coils of Concertina wire at the top.

That's why basketball players are called "cagers".

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I did a summer tournament on the hardwood.

Didn't the court warp after it rained?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

I once officiated a game on the deck of a cruise ship. A team had the ball in their backcourt when the ship crossed the international dateline and it became yesterday. They wanted an additional 24 hours to get the ball into frontcourt.

I also worked a game on the same cruise ship, but we crossed the International Date Line going the other way, and it was the day Daylight Saving Time started, at the exact time of the game. We were really confused, so my partner and I postponed the game and spent several hours in the pool, in the casino, at the buffet, and at the bar, going through the rulebook and casebook looking for a similar situation.

[eg-italy]

Originally Posted by mutantducky

That could be a lot of fun. I've played a game inside where the sun was shining at an angle where it was really distracting. Just thinking of spring and summer games and now would be the time.

It may be a lot of fun, but not during the winter at 0°C (32°F, for the unit conversion challenged ) or even below. When I started officiating, there were many courts outside: indeed, my first official game was outside, with snow around the court.

I remember also another game outside: we traveled in the fog, visibility under 30 meters (32 yds); on the court we could barely see from one basket to the other. Freezing temperature. The game was played.

Ciao

[Juulie Downs]

The summer after my first season reffing, I went to a camp that was held up in the mountains at a place that had all outdoor floors. Usually, it rained there! and then they'd play most of their games at a local high school, but the week I was there, it was sunny, about 90 degrees, and aobut 10 % humidity. It was so hot and dry that we didn't run full games, even with running clock. Each game was 10 minutes of running clock. We'd all get soaking wet before each game by hosing down. In 10 minutes we were bone dry, even our hair! It was wild. But the evening walks in the woods were heavenly...

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

We'd all get soaking wet before each game by hosing down.

Do you have pictures?

[Texas Aggie]

In college, this frat wanted to have a 3 on 3 tournament and they wanted an official there. So I did that for a few hours. I expected to take a lot of crap, but for the most part, it didn't happen. A few complaints here and there but it was an easy gig.