Semi off-topic, Referee magainze

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Freddy

... unnecessary social antics during dead ball times which have nothing to do with officiating the game.

Friday night. Boys varsity game, eventually went into overtime. Gymnasium is standing room only. Athletic teams. Disciplined teams. Challenging, but not over the line, coaches. Good partner. Great game. Just what we all want on a Friday night.

Second half. I'm the trail (two man Connecticut). Skip pass comes from opposite side, deep in the lead's primary, so I'm not ball watching, until I see that the very hard pass is poorly thrown and is heading right toward my head. I try to get out of the way at the last split second, the pass zips, literally by inches, past my ear, into the crowd behind the sideline. Whistle, arm up, color, direction, spot, leave the area to become new lead, and my partner, the new trail, deals with getting the ball.

Few minutes later, I find myself at the same exact spot, during a timeout, holding the ball for a subsequent throwin. So I turn to the crowd and ask, "Did you guys see that ball almost take my head off? Who caught the ball? Are you alright?". Friendly banter, it only took a few seconds. We're humans, not robots. If doing this is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Few minutes later, I find myself at the same exact spot, during a timeout, holding the ball for a subsequent throwin. So I turn to the crowd and ask, "Did you guys see that ball almost take my head off? Who caught the ball? Are you alright?". Friendly banter, it only took a few seconds. We're humans, not robots. If doing this is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

I'm completely with you, Billy. It's one thing when you're supposed to be on the back of the circle during a 60-second timeout and instead go hob-nob with the 2nd district alderman sitting opposite the table. That's not cool. But a brief passing interaction when you're already where you're supposed to be? Nothin' wrong with that. Smile, chuckle, then get back to business.

I ran over an errant 3-year old kid going C to C last year. Never saw him, never had a chance. Mom didn't blame me, but I still felt horrible. Next time I was on that sideline, I looked up to make sure he and Mom were doing ok. After the game, new crew came in for the boys game. I got dressed, came out, noticed Mom and son were still there, and checked on them in person. Gave the kid an extra whistle I had. His smile was priceless. Indeed, we're humans.