First Games Assigned.
 

I have 8 days to go before the season starts.

I start Thursday.

Peace

My first scrimmage is Saturday! Hoorah!!

MS girls tomorrow. I hear it's competitive.

College season kicks off tomorrow (Nov 1).

We still have about 12 days to go, but I did finally get out on the court on Saturday to do some rec league 8th grade games. Man, it was fun. I love how every year I feel less and less rusty out on the floor my first game of the season.

Another weekend of rec league JH ball and then girls JV/V starts. Assignments should go out either end of this week or early next week. I'm like a kid at Christmas waiting to head downstairs and open up presents!

Boy-you all start early! I don't have my first games until the end of November :D :D :D

High School?

Peace

Sorry Rut-yep High School!

That is your reason. Looks like most are working college (which starts across the country at various levels) or MS/JH games. If it makes you feel better back in the day I used to work games in September. :)

Peace

Tip-off weekend, start of the regular HS basketball season, is 12/10. Eh, it's a football town.

I've had 1 scrimmage so far, have one more tonight, and another in about a week.

First college game in 4 weeks.

First HS game TBD...schedule not published yet....but it will be either the Monday or the Tuesday after Thanksgiving when the HS season begins in Oregon.

I had a paid scrimmage, does that count?

Games
 

Started college scrimmages last Saturday, another Friday and Saturday.:eek:

Paid scrimmage/foundation game Nov. 18th. First official game Dec 5.

Tip-off tournaments for HS in FL start next week.

Have a scrimmage on the 22nd and games start the 28th.

Is it the championship?

I had two JUCO Jamborees in early October, does that count? :D

Peace

No, but it was a lot of fun. Close games. Good to be back at it after 20 months.

Ok, here goes.

Scrimmage jamborees each of the next three Saturdays, and a scrimmage next Tuesday night.

Private school regular season opener 11/10 and public school opener 11/21.

It was cold last Friday night, so I'm ready to get inside!

Well my college game was cancelled, so I will not have a game until November 18, unless I have a football game that night. My start is on hold.

Peace

Good thread to jump back in on after a summer away... My first game is tonight (NAIA JV - does it count? :rolleyes: ), had my first HS scrimmage last night. Football still going hot and heavy here, so many teams are still without key players which makes for some sloppy play.

HS schedule starts after Thanksgiving.

How was the overall rapport?

We had a great rapport. And after a little on-the-fly coaching, she did a great job timing the Timeouts and quarter breaks.

Who u got!
 

What teams will be involved? Good luck in your new board! I don't believe that the scrimmages down here start until the following week.

Actually, I don't know yet!
 

My scrimmage Sat is still TBA.

I have four other scrimmage dates, three of which I know the schools.

I have two regular season games on tap so far for late Nov/early Dec. Teams not posted yet.

Thanks for the good wishes - and for you too! Be well.

I had three scrimmages two weekends ago. Our regular season won't start until after Thanksgiving.

High School?
 

Are you guys doing High School scrimmages? They don't appear to be very popular in this part of Washington State; I did them in Montana but not here. I have had and will yet have some college scrimmages but no High School.

MS Class B Girls season just ended. Boys MS is starting next week and High School around Thanksgiving. First Community College game is 11/26.

We do have them Scuba ref, but they are usually the weekend before the actual season starts. And they cannot play other teams either.

Peace

Technically, it's travel stuff in this corner. They're not recogized by the high schools, but they're made up of the same players. Twenty-minute running time halves.

High school and middle school basketball seasons run pretty much concurrently here, and that goes for all scholastic sports.

Thanks guys. I really don't understand why our neck of the woods doesn't run some scrimmages with officials. In MT and with the college stuff we do it for free so there isn't a cost aspect to worry about for the High schools. the schools here really are missing out on an opportunity to have a mini rules clinic (at least an explanation of the new rules and points of emphasis) prior to the season when there are no do-overs. Oh well, maybe there is a reason that I am not aware of.

It is up to the school but most schools pay for scrimmages around here. That was not always the case, but I think it affects who comes to work their scrimmage.

Peace

Every state has its own rules, too, about what can be done. Some don't allow inter-squad scrimmages, some don't allow keeping time and/or score, and others can essentially play games against other teams.

It's pretty much wide open here, and high schools don't normally play. Our association views it as preparation for us just like the kids. We're expected to do a couple as our schedules allow, and while there is no formal requirement, it is often viewed as a good thing to do for your assignor. Especially if you are newer.

Must be nice. High schools here get services for free (think it's a state rule that scrimmages aren't for pay) and get mad if you refuse to work more than 6 quarters. Plus they will arbitrarily change times or switch the JV and V scrimmages around and expect us to just hang around.

I just cannot think of many in the past 5 years where I have not been paid. That being said there was a time when being paid was unusual. I think our schools for the most part have come around.

Peace

It's one day, we do it for free. It's a chance to shake off the rust and get a little more experience.

However, a couple of years ago after the schools decided to save money at our expense, the association stopped actively assigning the preseason scrimmages. It's no longer the political benefit it once was because of that.

Good to get out and run on a big court again tonight.

I was rusty, but my P's and I did well.

Got into the habit of "bird-dogging" on most of my fouls lately. Evaluators didn't like it and told me to lose it......I can't even recall when I started it! :confused:

Had a NAIA game Thursday and a JUCO this afternoon.

Yep, it must be nice.
 

+1 It's the same way in this area. You know the game info from the Arbiter, but the R almost always has to do some kind of negotiation upon arrival on site. We try to look on it as our little bit of community service for the season.

Don't you just hate when those little things crop up in our mechanics. At least, you'll get it out of your game before the season begins. Back in the day, it was a standard mechanic.

Connecticut Scrimmages ...
 

For the past two seasons, here in my little corner of the Land of Steady habits, scrimmages that are assigned by our assignment commissioner are always paid scrimmages, $100.00 for the entire "crew" (the commissioner often sends three, or four, officials), and are limited to six quarters. If the scrimmage is expected to go more than six quarters, i.e. a jamboree, then the host school must make special fee arrangements with our commissioner.

Our state interscholastic sports governing body actually encouraged officials in all sports to get paid for scrimmages because some sports were unable to get any scrimmage officials at all (field hockey, lacrosse, etc.).

Schools that do want assigned officials for their scrimmages can contact individual officials, and arrange any fee, including no fee; gas, laundry, and lunch money; a T-shirt; or lunch (grinders, pizza).

My first games are 8/8/2011. Girls double header JV/V.

Been doing JH rec league for the last two Saturdays to shake off the rust.

Real seasons starts this week. GV Friday and Saturday night. Can't wait.

How were they?

Comm. College Scrimmage
 

The assigner for the Community College association that I work for expects each of his officials to do at least two unpaid scrimmages prior to the season starting. Yesterday four officials worked six, 30-minute games as four teams scrimmaged against each other. We were running the court from 11:00am until 3:30pm. But hey, they did provide us each with one bottle of water.

Just got 3 more added. Most are 3 crew games, which when the cutbacks are considered, is pretty good.

Worked a scrimmage yesterday where I got to work with and meet a fellow poster, vbzebra, for the first time.

Opened up the season with 2 ABA games over the weekend. Big fun!!

3 day JC road trip starting Thursday. I hope the RA is marked, if not its a judgment call. Oh boy!!

HS season opener 11/30 G-JV/V. 2 of my 5 mandatory out the way early
:D

When are y'all comin up here to work a game!? (and you can bring lcubed too) :p

I worked a game on Sat with a transfer from Cal - we had to splain to him that we count 10 secs in the back court for girls here.......

Prepping for Official Start
 

Misc. MS games with rookies and upcoming rookies day camps prior to first assignments the beginning of the month.
One woeful prospect looms large -- shift picks for our department at work determine our work schedule for the new year. I'm low on the totem pole here so the likelihood of having to work the second half of the week instead of the first half of the week is running about 25%. With a good V officiating schedule set on nights when I don't have to work late the days I work (get out at 6:30) now, if I get shifted to the other shift I'll have to bail on the entire year. Hope it doesn't come to that.
"Mongo just pawn in game of life."

I feel your pain Freddy. I'm 5 years in with my association and was the "go to" guy for sub-varsity mainly because I worked out of my house and was flexible in terms of assignment. Started a new job with a very long commute and now can only do varsity during the week (and I'm just in transition from SV to V so I don't expect anything close to a "full" schedule - also had to speak to my new boss about leaving around 4 to get to those weekday games). I did speak to both assignors and told them to load me up on sub-varsity on the weekends but we'll have to see how things shake out.

Passed my test. First game tomorrow night. Bag is packed. Including Mr. Advil, who car pools with me to every game.

I car pool too!
 

But, I'm usually with his cousin, Mr. Aleve! ;)

1st scrim. freshman boys Monday, then a few JV girls city league games. Should be interesting, looking forward to it.

Stop eating inflammation causing foods and within 4 to 6 weeks you will not have to ingest chemical inflammation suppressors to be able to referee. ;)

First scrimmage tonight. Girls scrimmage. Went pretty well. Got another Thursday.

Our scrimmages usually pay as well as a game. I was offered one that pays $75 when our normal game fee is $60, but I had to turn it down because I'm working a clinic as a clinician. Rumor has it the $75 scrimmage is going to last about 3 hours, though. :D

I do work the occasional free scrimmage and it's not really a consideration when I accept or decline -- but if they're paying, I'm taking.

I won't walk onto a court until the 19th. First game isn't until the 26th. I can use the break after a long baseball season followed immediately with a football season. Between November 26th and March 1st, I'll work about 60-65 HS/college dates, which is more than enough for me.

We are required to work one free scrimmage as it counts toward our training hours to become/stay certified

A kinder gentler BNR?
 

I'm sure that you were kind and giving partner like you were with me.
Where? Aren't the 2 of you in different HS boards?

4 man ??
 

Yes, I would be up for a game/s using a 4 man crew.

Yes we are, so that leaves one other consideration. ;)

Well the season technically started for me last night. I was called at the last minute to cover a Women's college JUCO game when I happened to be home when called at 4:45. That game was 5 minutes away and I was the first to get to the school.

Well back to football until November 18 when the "real....real" start takes place unless I get another call of course. :D

Peace

Will this negatively impact your Men's career? :D

Not when the Men's assignor I mainly worked for was asking for help. ;)

Peace

A college scrimmage? or which one of you'all has changed boards?

Damn, you got me, there were at least 2 considerations. :o Forgot you were privy to our HS drama around here.

Choose the answer in which congratulations are in order to a young official.

OK, I choose A - the college scenario.

And I enjoyed working with you and learning from you! Hope to work with you again!

Bromance ???
 

Get a room.

Ha ha ha!

So looks like I've had a change of heart and had my own change of local chapters. My first games are next week. :o

I'm in the same boat. So far so good for me.

Good luck!

Glad to hear it. Have fun.

Just got a VB game two weeks from Saturday. This would be my first varsity assignment in basketball.

One little wrinkle for this sports fan, and something which Snaqs and DeNucci (maybe others) can appreciate: The start time potentially coincides with the NCAA FCS playoffs, something UMaine has never hosted. I have season tickets, and my Black Bears are 8-2 (surprising many this year), and are a likely candidate to host a game or two. We won't know until after the regular season closes this weekend.

Will have to wait and see. Fortunately, my assignment is three miles from UMaine.

Hoorah!
 

Congrats! Hope your schedule works out for you.

As always, let us know how it goes!

Orono or Old Town?
(Fellow Black Bear here)

Old Town, home of the... Coyotes.

(Another thing that's changed here since you left.)

Did they once have a Native American depicted name? ;)

Peace

And.... the can of worms is open!

Yes, formerly Old Town Indians, changed sometime in the last ten years.

Still, the gym has this huge, beautiful painting of nearby Penobscot Nation with the caption "Old Town Indians." And, the name of the island home of the Penobscot Nation remains, "Indian Island." I worked a playoff soccer game last month that featured Indian Island Middle School (Warriors).

The lack of verbal parallelism never ceases to baffle me.

Have done 2 JH/MS 8th Boys games. So far, so good.

One little tidbit for those who work in gyms where the scoreboard shows the TO Countdown, if you can have it only show on the scoreboard controller it'd make the coaches happier.

Not Your Father's Mascot ...
 

In my humble, non-Native American opinion, there are good Native American mascots, and there are bad Native American mascots. If the Native Americans that live in particular areas like the mascot, and don't have any problem with the mascot, then the schools should be allowed to continue to use it.

North Dakota Fighting Sioux - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's as bad as my mom's alma mater being forced to change their mascot because of some of the local Aboriginal population thought it was offensive. If they think the mascot of a school is offensive, then they should ask that cities have to change their names as well (For example: Seattle is named after Chief Seattle) that are named after them or their tribe.

Yes I'm Offended, Now, Who Can I Sue ???
 

My great grandfather, a farmer, was born in Ireland, and he did not look like this:

http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbn...901f5950bb6a84

Agreed in total. The confusing part about the aforementioned instance in my northeast corner is that "Indian" is good enough for the name of the locale of the Penobscot Nation (Indian Island), but offensive when used as a sports mascot.

BTW, there will be no game conflict. My Black Bears aren't hosting; they're going to Appalachain State in the second round (first round bye).

There has been overkill in VT where one school was forced to drop "Crusaders" as a moniker, and another pressured to drop the southern looking Colonel as the face of their mascot. Another school, who is honoring "Indian Joe", who helped a lot of the early settlers in the area, has refused to back down from their school nickname, although they did sand down the center circle a few years ago.
Has Nokomis been forced to change their nickname?

And as the official, I'm asking you to turn the damned thing off, if possible. Two reasons:

(1) Every place that's had that, the timer told me he couldn't shorten the timeout. Don't know if this is just ignorance or the truth, but if both teams are ready to go, I don't want to wait for some timer to countdown.

(2) You put the timeout time on the scoreboard and the time left in the period disappears. Coaches, players, fans, AND officials like having that time up.

I've never heard of a worse idea than putting the timeout countdown on the scoreboard.

Here we go
 

I'm doing a BV scrimmage tonight, a GV scrimmage tomorrow night, and another GV scrimmage on Wednesday. I feel for those of you who don't get paid for scrimmages. My 3 days (and $180) will pay for much of my new clothing / shoes this season.

First games are Saturday. GV game at 3PM and a BV game at 7:30PM. 4 games next week. Bring it on.

Couldn't agree more. I hate having the timeout time kept on the scoreboard. It serves no real purpose, and takes valuable information (time left) off the scoreboard.

What's good for the goose, I guess. But really, "southern looking?"

Nokomis remains the Warriors, and I haven't heard a ton of pressure to change that. (Just as well. Leave 'em alone.) Scarborough changed from the Redskins to the Red Storm. Wiscasset is also supposed to change from the Redskins, but I don't think that's been finalized yet.

A rebel Colonel apparently. Some people just don't have enough to do.

It's Either PETA, Or It's Vegans ???
 

That's what I am meaning is to have the countdown only show on the control panel. On the scoreboard system here that has it, there's a button labeled Time out in/out. If in a TO with the timer counting down, just press that button and the timer gets cancelled. On the Daktronics All-Sport 5000 Scoreboard controller, that TO In/Out button is present on the basketball controls insert.

Ouch! http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...s/blueevil.gif

Why ouch? Maine is undefeated in Boone.

Case in point.:cool:

Thread Relevant Update
 

Major update for which to give thanks to God:
Shift schedules for our department for next year were posted yesterday and I won't be getting bumped off my shift, which was the basis for all assignments given to me for this season.
Whereas my entire schedule was in danger of being completely turned back, I'm in the clear now. :)
Whew! Dodged a bullet on that one. All smiles today as I consume vast quantities of what was Ben Franklin's choice for the national bird.
Packers by 5. :D

Yes, officiating is part of our life
 

I'm happy for you, Freddy! When you get your games, go make us all proud.

Great news. Go, Lions.