Safety First ...
 

I am certainly over exaggerating here, but let's say that a piece of tape falls off, lands sticky side up on the floor, and a player slides, and falls, when his shoe touches the tape. He breaks his skull and dies. Or the tape falls off, and a promising concert pianist catches his finger under the bracelet, dislocating, and breaking, the finger in several places.

Remember that anybody can sue anybody for anything. They may not win, but the official will still have to hire an attorney. If somehow the bracelet is overlooked, that's just poor officiating, and that's one thing. If the official notices the bracelet and allows it in the game, that's another thing, it's called negligence.

And let's not forget the major editorial change for 2009-10: 3-7: Clarified that any item, in the referee’s judgment, that constitutes a safety concern is not permitted.

Note: If you do get sued, let me recommend the firm where my attorney is a partner: Howe, Dewey, Cheatem & Wynn, Attorneys at Law.

Horsefeathers. Called that by whom?

Follow The Rules, Safety First ...
 

The attorney of the dead player, or the player whose career as a concert pianist is in jeopardy. You may not call it negligence. I may not. But the attorneys representing these two players can, and will. Remember anybody can sue anybody for anything. And if you don't hire an attorney to defend yourself against false allegations, then, as they say, you have a fool for a client. Maybe our liability insurance through NFHS, or IAABO, or some other organization, will cover us, but you still need a lawyer to negotiate. And they make more per billable hour than we do on the court.

Who was it on this Forum who said, and I'm paraphrasing here, you can't do wrong if you follow the rules as written? C'mon, fess up to it. It was a good line, as I remember.

Sometimes you have to choose between p***y and basketball.

In the first place, attorneys know the rule book even less than coaches.

In the second place. "That's a thought. Here's another thought."
(raspberry)*

*Archie Bunker

ROFL :D

I was too young to appreciate Archie Bunker the first time around. Is that show in syndication anywhere?

Best reason ever! I still don't understand why they go out and get this done when they know we are going to make them take them out. :cool:

:D

I had to make that choice a number of times many years ago. I don't have that choice nearly as often nowadays.

I'm away from home, don't have books or time to look on line for rule reference on sleeves. Can't remember is it's permissable to wear long sleeve performance type shirt. The one sleeve look I know is illegal unless for health issues. I believe it's under 4-1- 3,4,5 or close to it?

Recall the Candace Parker sleeve situation a few years back and can't recall if one long sleeve or full shirt?

Pay
 

We started getting paid last year and last year was a mess. Schools were paying 20 dollars per official for a 2 hour scrimmage. The problem was (is) that the schools only want to pay 3 officials for a varsity scrimmage. 2 hours straight can be tiresome. Some are smart enough to add a 4th. BUt like was previously stated now you have guys who never did a scrimmage signing up for as many as they can get where myself did it your years for a thank you and maybe some tube socks. Another issue we had last year and in yrs past was you went to the scrimmage you wanted to go. Some had no one show while others had 8 show. Now they are assigned, which should help immensly.

I hear ya REF - we've had issues similar to this also.

Saturday we had three V guys for a scrimmage, which was great as we did all four quarters, plus the additional half-quarter.

As the scrimmage season draws to a close, in previous years, all those officials who need their three scrimmages in will all arrive for the same game and we would have ten guys for two games.

Hopefully this is not the case this yr!

I must have missed this post earlier. Sorry it has been a busy weekend.

I am glad you liked the experience. Also keep in mind you were dealing with 3 veteran officials that also teach officiating in many capacities and not only in basketball. I was the only state clinician out of this group in basketball, but the other two were in football and all of us have State Final experience (one of us will be working this weekend....and no it is not me). So we all love to teach guys to officiate and we all give back to our associations. I only say this as a cautionary tale, all veterans will not take the time or have the knowledge that we have or want to share. That does not mean that you will not come in contact with other veterans that will be just as helpful or as knowledgeable (this is not about me honestly). Just from the class I ran this past fall, I have already heard some stories about veterans not being as accommodating to the newer officials. Now sometimes that is because the officials you were working with are not that good to begin with and really are trying to find their way. But you will work with guys that just do not care but do it for the money and leave the minute the buzzer's echo has stopped.

I just wish many fellow officials were as helpful as me and the other two officials I worked with were willing to be. Then again, it also helps when you have someone that is willing to learn and hear things. But that is another story for another day. ;)

Peace