Timekeeper sneaking in subs
 

One more from my strange day at the tiny MS:

In the last minute, and with the game out of reach, a team scores. I'm the L, new T, and I hear the horn. Subs from both teams come into the game, with the clock stopped. I go to the timekeeper and ask what the horn was for, and she replies, "to get the subs in."

I'm not impressed with this, but I see no point in fussing. It's middle school, the last minute, kids want to play, and it would take only more time denying the subs or speaking with the timekeeper about it. Besides, I think the timekeeper was conned into it by a coach or scorekeeper.

Let's say this happened in a varsity game. How would you handle it? Deny the subs? Technical fouls? (Bear in mind, no-one ever beckoned them.) Charge time-outs to each team? Just let it go?

College game = easy "nope." HS game = yuck.

...clock should not have stopped after a FG.


Have a talk with the timekeeper, and yes, in a Varsity game the timekeeper is going to get spoken to. (If we don't instruct them the correct way...then our fellow officials will probably have to deal with it in the futrure)

No I would not give T's...No I would not charge TO's to either team...and No I would not deny subs.

For a MS game...I would probably "just let it go" as you did...then speak to the timer after the game. (Maybe) ;)

In a varsity game if a horn sounded at an inappropriate time and subs ran out without being beckoned, yes, I would T them all up.

In a jr. high game with the outcome decided and time winding down, I have been known to stop the game myself just to let the subs in.

...sure you would. :p

(BTW...have you ever actually had a sub run out without being beckoned?)

Answer: Of course you have...and I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut you have not T'd EVERY one of them.

Never Say Never ...
 

With a dead ball, and the clock stopped, send them back to the table, and then beckon them in.

My shoelace became untied in that case! Ooops! :p

Misty Water Color Memories ...
 

Without the horn, as in the original post, I used to do this to let these kids get in the game. Several years ago, I had a veteran official advise me to just blow the whistle and get them in the game.

Full disclosure: I was the twelfth player on a twelve man freshman basketball team. There were a few games where I was at the table (no X back then) waiting to get into the game to see the clock run all the way down to zero.

If a team is up 30 with 2 minutes left and subs are at the table. As soon as someone scores I am stopping play and getting them in. High School or Junior High.

That's not really your decision. Any other rules you'd break because it's a blow out?

Never had a problem with it. Never had a coach question it, in fact they say thank you.

I'm glad it works for you. No way in h-e-hockey sticks I'd go against the rule.

Doesn't make it right.

It's expected in some areas, and even encouraged. In the end, who really cares?

Heh.

My partner made up a travel on a team winning by 50+ earlier this season to get a sub in. Right in front of me. When I looked up confused, both he and the winning coach (partner was standing next to him) were laughing in my direction. Coach told partner it was the best call he made that night. He had plenty of timeouts left, but didn't want to further embarrass the losing team.

Middle school? I'm bringing the subs in without a second thought.