It's that time again - almost
 

Got an email last night asking for my availability for spring league games. This league, which I have worked for a few years, starts in two weeks and lasts six weeks, with teams playing two games each weekend. Their website says they will have about 200 teams this year in grades 3-12.

I really like working games for these guys. They are very supportive of the refs and we can request times and locations. They are really good about honoring my requests because one of the two owners used to play in our local kids rec league years ago and he remembers me working his games when he was just a little guy.

I guess I need to put my stuff in the wash and refill my meds.

Anyone else out there getting ready for a spring league?

My off-season consists of 2-3 camps, a few AAU games each month, and a summertime Pro-Am.

Get enough time around little kids between my 13 year-old w/Aspergers and a 6 year-old :)

My off season from basketball starts with college and high school baseball and softball, followed by a summer of baseball and playing golf, followed by football. I seldom officiate basketball outside of the traditional season.

I was at the "evaluations" for our 16-18 yr old's the other night. Talent is very good. I'm looking forward to working a couple of games.

I forgot to mention some of the other reasons I really like this program. They play 22 minute running halves. Clock stops only in the last minute of the first half regardless of the score and in the last two minutes of the second half only if the point differential is 10 or less. Teams get three 60 second timeouts for the game - no 30s. Halftime is just two minutes. Coaches must address the referees as "sir" or "ma'am" at all times.

OK - I was just kidding about that last one. BTW - they allow players six fouls before fouling out.

Their rules also mention something called "overtime - two minutes" - whatever that means. :confused:

Got another email today from this league and it said that so far, they have 221 teams signed up with a few more days before registration cutoff. I'm thinking I'll probably get a few games out of this. :)