Preferences for scoreboard/timer & scorebook operations

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by chseagle

As an example, last year I was doing shot clock for Girls' Varsity, whenever a foul was being called the calling official was looking at me & reporting the information at me, instead of to the Scoreboard/Timer & Scorebook.

I had worked with that official several times before when I was JV & C-Squad Scoreboard/Timer, and the official was so used to my method of operations. The person that does the Varsity Scoreboard/Timer has been doing it for at least 10 years, yet I've only done scoreboard/timer for 4-5 years. You'd think the more senior person would have more respect/appreciation from the officials, yet whenever I am at the table I get better responses than others.

I don't think any of that has anything to do with it. Many times, if I'm familiar with a face at the table, I'm going to be drawn more toward that face. For example, the timer this past Friday night has been at the table for years. I did not know either scorer. So naturally, my gaze would catch the timer most times. But then I would pick up the scorer.

[Scratch85]

Originally Posted by chseagle

As an example, last year I was doing shot clock for Girls' Varsity, whenever a foul was being called the calling official was looking at me & reporting the information at me, instead of to the Scoreboard/Timer & Scorebook.

I had worked with that official several times before when I was JV & C-Squad Scoreboard/Timer, and the official was so used to my method of operations. The person that does the Varsity Scoreboard/Timer has been doing it for at least 10 years, yet I've only done scoreboard/timer for 4-5 years. You'd think the more senior person would have more respect/appreciation from the officials, yet whenever I am at the table I get better responses than others.

With this person that's got the more experience, I've seen several screw ups, yet no one seems to want to change things.

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I don't think any of that has anything to do with it. Many times, if I'm familiar with a face at the table, I'm going to be drawn more toward that face. For example, the timer this past Friday night has been at the table for years. I did not know either scorer. So naturally, my gaze would catch the timer most times. But then I would pick up the scorer.

I agree. Who I look at when reporting doesn't have anything to do with my opinion of who is sitting at the table. It does have a lot to do with where they put that big "X" on the floor. Unfortunately that "X" is usually at the center of the table and the timer is sitting behind it instead of the scorer.

[offici88]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I don't think any of that has anything to do with it. Many times, if I'm familiar with a face at the table, I'm going to be drawn more toward that face. For example, the timer this past Friday night has been at the table for years. I did not know either scorer. So naturally, my gaze would catch the timer most times. But then I would pick up the scorer.

So timely. Just last week I had a game where the home/official bookkeeper was seemingly inexperienced. She was tentative and not very communicative. I tried to engage/entertain all at the table as part of my pregame (which I strongly encourage).

As the game progressed, I found myself looking to the visitor bookkeeper, who regularly made eye contact and could predict what I was going to ask (correct arrow at quarter, impending bonus, how many time outs).

As the game winded down, my partner reported what was the 5th foul for a girl and learned that from the visitor bookkeeper. He knew and held up a hand as my partner was reporting the foul since he expected who it would be called on. I connected with my partner shortly after that we need to confirm with the official bookkeeper (not the more engaging person) for her records.

[just another ref]

Sometimes it is more difficult to work with the more experienced scorer who thinks he/she knows what going on too much. The worst thing I see is when I go to report a foul and the scorer is not even looking at me, but already writing in the book.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Sometimes it is more difficult to work with the more experienced scorer who thinks he/she knows what going on too much. The worst thing I see is when I go to report a foul and the scorer is not even looking at me, but already writing in the book.

Agreed. I'm a patient man and will wait for the eye contact. I get a little sick kind of thrill when the "know everything" scorekeeper is being told by everyone at the table "the refs waiting for you. "

If I do it early it usually doesn't happen too much after that.

[chseagle]

In my example, I was neither the scoreboard/timer or scorebook, I was just shot clock operator.

Concerning the reporting issue, when I hear the whistle & see the stop clock sign with reporting official coming towards table, I am always looking at the official for the information. More often than not now,

Other than doing shot clock for Girls' Varsity, I hadn't had any experience doing Varsity Scoreboard/Timing until I did WIAA 4A Regionals last year. From that experience, I can see how a person doing Varsity games can become distracted with everything going on around them. I used that experience of assisting at the 4A Regionals as a way to grade myself on what I should or sholdn't be doing differently. My first game there, I had a real test as we had a non-functioning scoreboard & had to use stopwatches for timing devices & use the PA Announcer to announce the score, fouls, shot clock & time expiration. Working on that sitch, made me see things differently & made me realize that doing any position at the table can be a test of abilities.

My thinking behind starting this thread was to get some input on what everyone's thoughts were concerning the table & experience.

[just another ref]

Evaluating the table personnel at the start of the game is like checking your tires when you leave on a trip. If you have new ones, great. If one or more is obviously less than perfect, you just have to hope you make it ok.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by chseagle

In my example, I was neither the scoreboard/timer or scorebook, I was just shot clock operator.

Partner, that makes absolutely, positively no difference whatsoever. Who we look at doesn't mean a thing. Can you not get that?

You're issue seems to be that you want to work varsity games but there's already someone in that position. You seem to want to build yourself up to us, while tearing the other person down. Unfortunately, we can't help you get the varsity job. Even if we could, that's not the correct way to go about it. And it's not going to help you with the people who do make the decision either.

Do your job, don't worry about others, DON'T TEAR THEM DOWN TO OTHERS and if you're deserving, the position will eventually be yours.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Partner, that makes absolutely, positively no difference whatsoever. Who we look at doesn't mean a thing. Can you not get that?

You're issue seems to be that you want to work varsity games but there's already someone in that position. You seem to want to build yourself up to us, while tearing the other person down. Unfortunately, we can't help you get the varsity job. Even if we could, that's not the correct way to go about it. And it's not going to help you with the people who do make the decision either.

Do your job, don't worry about others, DON'T TEAR THEM DOWN TO OTHERS and if you're deserving, the position will eventually be yours.

Took the words right out of my mouth. I like his passion for the job but he's barking up the wrong tree here.

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by zm1283

Took the words right out of my mouth. I like his passion for the job but he's barking up the wrong tree here.

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Partner, that makes absolutely, positively no difference whatsoever. Who we look at doesn't mean a thing. Can you not get that?

You're issue seems to be that you want to work varsity games but there's already someone in that position. You seem to want to build yourself up to us, while tearing the other person down. Unfortunately, we can't help you get the varsity job. Even if we could, that's not the correct way to go about it. And it's not going to help you with the people who do make the decision either.

Do your job, don't worry about others, DON'T TEAR THEM DOWN TO OTHERS and if you're deserving, the position will eventually be yours.

The gal that is doing the Varsity Games right now for my alma mater, has been doing it for the past 5-10 years at a minimum. She's doing a good job, except for not keeping up on the new Time-Out/Intermission rules/regulations on when to sound the buzzer. I've learned some things from her on how the table runs smoothly during games. I am doing what I can to slowly build up to doing Varsity contests as scoreboard/timer.

One of the reasonings behind doing the WIAA 4A Regionals last year, was that I had as a reference the AD who has seen/watched me work scoreboard/timer during the JV & C-Squad games. Also my knowing the facilities that were being used helped a bit, as well as my never give up/can do attitude.

During some of the JV & C-Squad games, I've had to wear multiple hats at once, Scoreboard/timer & crowd control at the same time.