Slightly OT: Gift idea for first state tourney?

[doubleringer]

I'm sure he'd appreciate dinner and a cold beverage with his son afterwards. Something signed by the crew. Last season one of my baseball partners kept a "pearl" in the back of his bags on the plate when we worked my first sub-state game together. After the game he handed it to me signed when we went out for a beer. I have it on my desk now. It's more about him taking the time to recognize me getting the game than the ball itself. That and the fact that he is a little older than me and I have tremendous respect for him as an official and as a person.

[jdw3018]

All great ideas. Really appreciate the thoughts from this group.

Officiating is one of those few things that is a "just dad and me" kind of activity. We've been able to call a couple games together over the years, but for the most part we've never lived close enough when I've been officiating to do it. But we talk much more often during basketball and it's always about the latest game, or a situation we saw on TV, or what's coming up on the schedule. I've always been close with my dad, but officiating has done nothing but bring us closer.

Sorry to keep going on and on, I'm just a really proud and happy son. Can't wait to hear his thoughts afterwards.