What does one do?
 

My wife is pregnant and she happens to go into labor while I'm doing a game. I would probably have cell phone at table so she can text or call. Does the school just proceed with 1 official if the game already started or try and find somone real quick. I can tell you I am not missing the birth of my first child. What would one do in my situation. I don't do varsity. Only up to JV.

That's really going to be up to your state and local rules. Some places continue with one official, while other places don't allow a game to continue with only one official. Only those in your area can answer.

Also, if I was in that situation, I would ask my assignor if there was any way possible to give back the game...I'm sure he'd be more than willing. Don't want to potentially hang a partner out to dry by myself if I don't have to.

I'd be very apprehensive about taking games within 3 weeks of a due date.

Don't work any games during the due date timeframe. It's not fair to the schools, players, and your partners to be distracted like that during your game(s).

Do not take any games around your wife's due date. You are not Phil Mickelson at the US open.

I completely agree. My wife is also pregnant with our first and her due date is around the end of the month. I kept several weeks surrounding the date free. I know that it stinks to have a shortened season but in the end, it is just basketball. It will always be here.

Good luck to you!

Other options aside from not taking games.
1. Have her induced.
2. Risk having to turn back a game at the last minute.

As for whether she goes into labor during your game; the chances of you not being able to finish the game and get to the hospital in time are slim. The real issue is if she goes into labor during the day, perhaps 6 hours before your game.

I missed my son's birth since I was deployed, and I catch a bit of good natured grief for it still (5 years later). I can't imagine the grief I'd have caught if it had been for a basketball game. Fortunately, my daughter was born in April, no conflicts there unless I ever get selected to work a Final Four game.

Just Do The Math ...
 

Wives of real basketball officials should not be delivering babies during the months of December, January, February, and March. No "fooling around" in March, April, May, or June. Lots of cold showers. It's just that simple.

3. Plan ahead next time for a July birth. :D

I just mention that because that's what we did for 2010. ;

We were able to "plan" the first one for a spring birth. With the 2nd one, we eventually gave up trying to time it and ended up with an August birth.

Hmmm around here that may not be so good...very pregnant wife in May, June and July....some of the hottest months here. Yeah that could get pretty unhappy around the ol' household.

Follow the advice listed above or consider this.

If it's her first childbirth, chances are you will have plenty of time. You're not going to miss anything. It will probably be many, many hours before she's even close to delivery. Even for our third, I finished watching the Bulls beat the Pistons 110-93 on 11/12/1991. Jordan only had 20 by 5 Bulls were in double figures. :)

Or, follow the advice above and do not take the games. It's not fair to the schools, kids, coaches, fans, and especially your partner.

It's not fair either. :)

That's why they invented baseball. Duh. :p

Control the official population. Have your partner spayed or neutered. ***







***paraphrased

I don't care what you've been told, it's not genetic.

4. Schedule a C-Section. This can be done months in advance. You'll only have to scratch one day. I'm sure she'll understand and agree. :D

My first was born in June '95. When he was six hours old, held him on my lap in front of the NBA Finals on TV, stating, "Lesson number one, kid, basketball."

One other thing: Be very patient, and expect a few false alarms. The baby will come when time says so. Just be there for your wife; you'll have plenty of games (though not much sleep) after the arrival.

Come On Down ...
 

"The price is wrong, b*tch."

Our first one was born 2 hours after we got to the hospital, our second had to be induced so while you are right for the most part, there are no guarantees.

I simply would not accept games in a three week window around her due date. Your kid is only born once, there are tons of opportunities to officiate ball

I worked a game on Friday and Tuesday around my wife's Sunday evening birth. I didn't miss a thing.

You know your wife and your relationship better than any of us do. I know people who are appalled that I was on the floor when my wife was in the hospital being monitored and admitted, but she insisted I go and do the game after the doctor told her it would likely be at least 12 hours and they'd probably have to induce labor. She knew I'd drive her crazy. And it wasn't 12 hours, it was more like 72 between being admitted and when they finally induced labor. By then I had been there and had been sent home to sleep on Saturday night.

If you're going to work, you need to leave someone with her in case she does start having labor pains.

Also, if I took games and did this, I definitely wouldn't take anything out of town.

But if I took the game, I would not leave in the middle of it unless there was a life/death stiuation. Stau close and you'll be there in plenty of time.

Hmmm, my wife went to the hospital when I was at a game, I went there after the game and stayed til midnight, came back the next morning at 7am and she had the baby at 7:30...worked out nicely. BTW, they really don't need us there, we just get in the way.

My first baby ended up being a C-section after being up all night trying to do it the regular way. The second one was born 10 minutes after getting to the hospital (thank God all the lights were green 'cause I wasn't stopping).

My suggestion, for your piece of mind and hers, block out the week (or two) and be ready to be flexible.

Consider adoption.

My first child was delivered less than 1 hour after arriving at the hospital.

Check with your assignor....If the due date is close, I'd either cancel a 2-3 week window or give them back 2-3 days before the game (whatever your assignor is OK with) until the baby is born. There will always be another game but the opporutnity for your wife to throw things at you while she's in labor only happen a few times in a lifetime.

Having missed one of those two chances I had, I agree completely.

"It's unrealistic to think I'm gonna be here every time you have a baby. I'm gonna miss some birthdays and some christenings. I'm gonna miss some births, period!" Dewey Cox

Option 5 -
 

Bring your wife and her Dr. to your game. If she goes into labor, have her hold off until half time or between games. She's pretty considerate right?

Just a thought. ;)

Other than that, I agree with the others. Don't risk it - don't take games. Many of us have had injuries, illness, family problems, etc. during the seaon. Basketball will be there when your done tending to personal and family needs. Health and family come first!

Your assigner has likely had children of his own; or at least a spouse. He'll understand and would rather schedule around you now than at the last minute.

I don't blame you. If I had to give birth, I'd have a C-section, too. :D

I have a better shooting pct. than you. I made two of three.

I thought you were going to say, "...than lose you forever when your wife either kills you or prohibits you from officiating." ;)

Contact your assignor and get out of the games. I assume your upcoming child will only be born once, I'm sure you'll have the opportunity to work JV games in the future.

Deneice Or Denephew ???
 

After seeing his Dad he might decide to crawl back in?

Only schedule games close to hospital and arrange with AD for a few extra minutes at halftime, you should be fine