I had a game in complete mud, and my bean bag was covered. When i got home I put it in some water and OxyClean to soak. When I took it out, the thing was all swollen, so I'm just wondering if whatever they put in the beanbag expands in water or does it have something to do with the OxyClean??

Its the water, had the same thing happen first time I washed mine. It will return to normal when it dries.

Try planting it and see if it grows...
 

I had the same problem last season... You might try planting it and see if the beans sprout...

Seriously, thats why I switched to a vinyl covered bean bag with sand inside. The vinyl is water repellent and much easier to clean.

Ok, so it's nothing to worry about. That's good, I wonder what's inside it that soaks up water.

When I bought my bag, the place I bought it from was out of the vinyl bags in blue, so I had to settle for some type of cloth.

I'll probably pick up a vinyl one next time I buy equipment.

the vinyl works great.

I had some beanbag that had unpopped popcorn kernals in it.

I need to get a new vinyl one tho. I had it drop outta my belt the other day.

You use a bean bag? Why??? Only the CFL uses a bb in Canada.

I think they're a good thing to have and they serve a purpose.

The main reason I used it was because it came in a uniform package I bought and I didn't want it to go to waste.

BTW, if I remember correctly, a while ago, you said that you also used one. :D

OK, so you've never soaked beans before. They swell because they absorb water. However, as they dry out they will shrink back to where they were.

You are correct, I do use one. Good memory.

But even better yet, I also know the yard line the bb shuold be at if I actually tossed it. If I anticipate not knowing that yard line, I toss the bb.

I'm lucky to get a field that has markings every 10 yards, so I just toss it anytime I feel i'll need a spot ;)

Don't just toss it anytime you feel like it! The bag is a tool to help you, know when to use it.

here are some examples, memorize them. Other situations can be found the in officials manual:
(a) mark the spot of first touching on free kicks and scrimmage kicks.
(b) mark the spot where momentum carries a player into the endzone.
(c) bag the OOB spot if you have to follow players into the OOB area.
(d) bag the spot where a srimmage kick ends for PSK purposes.
(e) bag the spot where the runner is if an IW occurs
(f) bag a fumble or spot of a backward pass when these occur beyond the line. These could be an enforcement spot.
(g) bag spot where an A or K player goes OOB on his own.
(h) bag forward progress spot if you have to assist other officials in breaking up late action.

DO NOT bag muffed snaps!

THanks, that was what I was looking for, some direction with it.

As it isn't normally used up here, there isn't any documentation outlining it's use. Thanks for posting this.

I tried searching the site through google, but I found that really annoying. BTW Mike, that's where I found ur post on the beanbag, I really have a horrible memory :D

what do they put in Bean Bags???
 

ummm hey they put um let me see.... BEANS in them :D

Also, we're from Canada (ref18 and I) and many of those points may not be accurate. For example, (a) would bag possession, not first touching. (b) if momemtun carries a person into the EZ, he gained possession in the EZ, (c) although this is a good use, I've always found that I can keep the spot while turning my body to the player. It's never failed me yet. (e) if we have an IW, we don't need to bag because the play and PP is now PBD, which all officials should know anyways.

I didn't know Ref18 was officiating in Canada. I never would have posted a reply as I know nothing of those rules or mechanics except from what I see you posting.

My posting was for NF.

Just out of curiosity, why do you need a blue bean bag?

Ever try to find a white bean bag on a snow-covered field..?

And in Canada, you know how much snow we get ;)

How much? In litres?

we measure rain and snowfall in centimetres :D

Sorry, I did not realize you were in Canada. I was not trying to "criticize," I was just wondering.

Also, I am from Erie, PA, and we average around 100 inches of snow per year, so I am well aware of the difficulty in finding a white bean bag in the stuff.

I am seeing more and more HS officials use blue bean bags. I think that the officials manual should be modified as it states that white bean bags should be used. Down here in south Georgia if we get snow they will probably call the game, so looking for a white bean bag would not be a problem. However, you have answered my question as to why the pros used blue bags.

They work well on articfial turf as well (the old AstroTurf, not the newer kind). They're hard to see on a good natural grass field.

I bet you don't use blue bags at Boise State!

If I ever do a game at Smurf Field, not only will I use a white bean bag, I'll paint my vinyl one and bleach the cloth one ;)