To my fellow new officials...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by grunewar

In a case similar to this last yr I had a player come back on the floor with white, medical tape over it.....objections?

Originally Posted by mbyron

Other than it still being illegal, no objections. The jewelry rule prohibits these bracelets; it does not "prohibit them unless covered with tape."

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.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

If the official notices the bracelet and allows it in the game, that's another thing, it's called negligence.

Horsefeathers. Called that by whom?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Horsefeathers. Called that by whom?

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.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

Boys V scrimmage on Friday, my P and I are making the rounds just before the jump getting all the bands off the kids. P has a little convo with one kid with one of those tied on friendship band thingees, but he lets the kid keep it. I asked him about it afterward. Apparently the convo went like this...

P: The band has got to come off
Kid: I tried, it's too tight
P: Your girlfriend tied it on?
Kid: (sheepish smile) Yeah
P: Okay, but you've only got until next game to tell her you're going to have to take it off

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

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

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.

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

[Back In The Saddle]

ROFL

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

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

ROFL

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

All in the Family TV Show - Videos, Actors, Photos and Episodes from the Classic Television Show - TV Land

[RefItUp]

Originally Posted by mbyron

At my scrimmage yesterday, a girl had the seemingly mandatory tape-over-new-earring thing going on.

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.

[dsqrddgd909]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

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

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

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I had a Catholic middle school junior varsity game today. During the first period, I notice that one player is wearing one of those "Allen Iverson" sleeves. I don't like being the fashion police, so, especially on this level, I will bend, but not break, a few fashion police rules. As the intermission is about to end, I single out the young man, bring him to his coach, and tell the young man, "I'm going to ask you a question. You are to answer yes. Is that sleeve for a medical reason?". He answers, "No". I say to the player, "I think you misunderstood me, is that for a medical reason?". He answers, "Yes", this time. As I'm waiting for my partner to inbound the ball to start the period, the coach says to me, "His mom raised him right, to always tell the truth".

Same game, during the second period, my partner thanked a player for wearing a watch in the game, but that we had an official timekeeper and wouldn't be needing his services, so he could take it off.

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?

[PIAA REF]

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.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by PIAA REF

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!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by bas2456

If you get the chance, do a scrimmage where you get to work with seasoned vets! It will be well, and I mean well, worth your time and energy to do so.

I just got back from working a scrimmage with three excellent, veteran officials (one of them I know for sure is an esteemed member of this very forum). I could not have asked for a better experience!

Not only did I get all kinds of advice for two-man mechanics, they threw me into a three man situation so I could get my feet wet (it's not as hard as it seems).

They even invited me out for pizza afterward and gave me feedback that will be very helpful going forward.

I'm serious, do something like this if you can!

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