Change in officials due to emergencies
 

What is the normal procedure when an official has to leave in the middle of a game due to an emergency (family/health)?

During the C-Squad/V game, the other night (2-whistle crew), 1 of the officials had to leave de to his son going to the emergency room. Thankfully we had some MS/JH games that happened earlier, so we had additional officials available. One of those came in to finish the game as the official left at halftime.

During last night's GV game, shot clock operator was replaced at halftime due to medical issues.

Normally, if someone isn't available to replace an official in a case like this, the other official(s) will just finish the game without him; alone if that's the case.

I have no idea what they would normally do to replace someone at the table; my guess is grab the first willing volunteer out of the crowd.

There is no prescribed procedure. You find the first and/or closest available official. Most times it's an official who's in the gym for a subsequent game or has stuck around from a previous game.

Last year a retired official in attendance for his daughter's varsity game stepped in and worked the first half of the JV game with the approval of both coaches.

That's normally what is done, as when I injured my knee last January that's what happened.

It's for reasons like this that I have the thinking that it's better that multiple people be trained in table operations.

And the fact that the game was completed as scheduled tells me it's not really necessary.

Ambulance Chasers ...
 

It is suggested to us to always keep a packed bag in our car. You would be surprised how quickly an official can show up in an emergency when we have three hundred officials, in only forty towns packed closely together, when it takes less than an hour for the longest ride from one part of our county to another. Sometimes it only take a few minutes. Our assigner is great. He's available 24/7 on his cell phone. He always answers on the first or second ring, and has all Arbiter information available to him at all times.

You don't think having a backup timer, backup scorer, and then an apprentice trained in both would make you feel more secure?

I'd also like backup ball boys, personally...

Last yr one of our Association Officals did just that and when a State Playoff Official was a no show before the game due to traffic, he suited up and refereed his first playoff game. Pretty cool. :cool:

We usually just go outside, grab a local homeless person, and offer him $2. After a 30 second training session, we're good to go.

You hurt your knee during a game? :eek:

I had my gear with me and was able to work as a white hat in a provincial football final.

When it comes to having your gear in your truck, rtg: just do it!

I mentioned it in a thread after the injury happened.

Was going after a loose ball during halftime & left knee gave out on me, which caused the left knee to pop in & out of place.

Doing too much. Let the kids chase loose balls.

It was during a 3-pt. Pop Shoot.

All I know right now is narrowing joint space (PCL or Arthritis)

I was in the locker room last night with the crew when the game manager came in and asked us if one of the 3 of us would be willing to get dressed quickly and finish the sophomore (JV) game as one of the 2 on the game pulled a leg muscle. I worked the entire 4th quarter.

Edit: I already posted this. I'm going senile, I swear.