C'mon, he had only had 26...

[Nevadaref]

Excellent article. Wonderful moment for the kid.
O'Dowd is ranked #1 in Northern California as the article states.
They were up by 30 at that point in the game.
Therefore, what is the issue with following the rule and assessing the team technical foul? It isn't going to alter the outcome. If the outcome were in doubt, he would not have played according to everything written in the article.
Of course, not charging the T also isn't going to alter the outcome.
However, as an official in a situation where it doesn't make any difference either way, when making the choice to follow the rule or ignore it, it seems that adhering to the rule should be the obvious default.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

When making the choice to follow the rule or ignore it, it seems that adhering to the rule should be the obvious default.

Especially in terms of explaining situations, and how you handled them, to your assigner.

My Catholic middle school assigner assigns Connecticut games from the beach in Florida. He has always told us that he wants all "Fashion Police" rules followed, even for the littlest kids. A few weeks ago, two our officials decided to allow gold undershirts under white jerseys. No a big deal? Right? It's just a "Fashion Police" issue? Right? How's he going to find out? Right?

Well, he did find out, and guess who's not going to work any league, or state, playoff games?

Maybe the original post doesn't compare, or apply, to fashion issues, but Nevadaref makes a lot of sense, in general terms. If you're going to err, err on the side of following the book.

[BatteryPowered]

Maybe it is because I have no desire (and absolutely no chance) of ever working more than a HS playoff game in the first two rounds. At my age, they are probably not going to give me a first time regional or state assignment...and I am good with that.

In the situation put forward by the OP, there is no way in he[[ I am calling a T. If one of my partners call it I will block them as soon as I can get to a computer. If the person giving me games doesn't want to put me in varsity games in the future then I will either work JV or quit.

There are some things more important than basketball and the rules that govern the game. Would I like the head coach to plan a little better and put the kid in the book for that game...of course. Am I going to make myself look like a jerk and become a villian when the article appears in the paper and they go on and on about the official who penalized the team for trying to do something good...Nope.


But that is just me...I am certain that some (maybe many) here will view me as close to the worse official to ever grab a whistle.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BatteryPowered

A villain ...

Just how bad of a villain are you? The home team would have won. The manager still would have gotten to play. The manger still would have scored. Everybody in the gymnasium still would have cheered for him. In my opinion that "bad" certainly doesn't come anywhere close to any of the Bond villains that I've come to know, and hate, over the past forty years.