Hmmm..........what do you think?

[parepat]

Originally Posted by mikesears

I'm with Jim D on this one. How often do we say we have to understand defintions to be a good official? Just look around this forum when we have to cobble together several sections in order to answer some of those quirky plays.

I also agree with someone else who asked when it stops? Do we get the rulebook out if we simply have questions about something even if nobody complains?

I can't imagine the contractor I hired to run electricity into my home consulting the electrical codes. There are certain expectations we have when someone is hired as a contractor for a job. We expect that if they are licensed that they will know the rules governing the job and that they will be able to get the job done correctly? Would i demand an electrical contractor bring his copy of the electrical codes with him to the job? No. That is his decision. Would I fault him if he did? No, but I would lose faith in his ability to do a routine job if I found him consulting the book for something I thought he should know.

For those of you that live in states where such a thing is mandated, do what is required ("when in Rome...."). But for me, I won't carry a rulebook onto the field.

Maybe the shortage of officials has gotten so bad that we are putting crews on the field that really don't know the rules.

Just another RESOURCE guys that may or may not come in handy in a given situation. I know you are frightened, but its really not that big of a deal.

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by parepat

Wow. You must have a very precarious grip on your onfield credibility.

I can't speak for Mc but yes, I think on field credibility can be very precarious.
But it's got nothing to do actual ability and everything to do with perception.
Perception can be mighty fickle.

If you live in a small town and you do the same teams week after week then you may catch a little slack

Originally Posted by parepat

What is your opinion, then, of replay and the effect on your ego, er, credibility? [/B]

Since replay is for judgement calls only it's kind of not the same

[Mike L]

Perhaps it's just best to agree to disagree. The Ohio guys seem to think it's a great idea. Just about everybody else doesn't. If it works for the Ohio guys, great. For my assoc, I suspect the idea would be resoundingly rejected.

[Tom.OH]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: I hope Ohio doesn't require you to bring one of those onto the field as well!

I guess we'll just need to philosophically disagree.

Funny you mention that, we found one on the 50 yard line last year. We joked that our field inspection was to detailed.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by parepat

All of these are valid points, but are irrelevant to the issue. No one said bringing the books on the field is a cure all. It is simply a RESOURCE. WHy are you all so threatened by it.

I'm not threatened by it. I just won't do it unless it's required of me. Ego has nothing to do with it. But your defensiveness in the form of many consecutive posts speaks volumes.

If a coach asks me for a conference, I'll grant it. I'll talk with the crew, if needed. If we're wrong, we'll fix it. But our crew has rules knowledge and doesn't need to bring a book to the field to demonstrate it.

[glind13]

Not to start this up agian but I am just catching up reading and thought I would let you know that Wisconsin also requires the rule book on field. The back judge I belive is required to carry it. (we actually put ours in our spare parts bag and leave it with the chain crew.) We have used in once in ten years and never had any backlash from it.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by glind13

Not to start this up agian but I am just catching up reading and thought I would let you know that Wisconsin also requires the rule book on field. The back judge I belive is required to carry it. (we actually put ours in our spare parts bag and leave it with the chain crew.) We have used in once in ten years and never had any backlash from it.

Completely ironic since the state motto is "Forward".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin

[Rich]

Originally Posted by glind13

Not to start this up agian but I am just catching up reading and thought I would let you know that Wisconsin also requires the rule book on field. The back judge I belive is required to carry it. (we actually put ours in our spare parts bag and leave it with the chain crew.) We have used in once in ten years and never had any backlash from it.

I am a WH in Wisconsin. I've read through the state adaptations to the NFHS rules and nowhere does it say this. Please show me in writing where the crew is required to carry a book to the field. My crew has NEVER done this.

[glind13]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I am a WH in Wisconsin. I've read through the state adaptations to the NFHS rules and nowhere does it say this. Please show me in writing where the crew is required to carry a book to the field. My crew has NEVER done this.

Wow maybe I am wrong I remeber someone telling me that many years ago when I started and I thought I even remember reading it, so I have just always done it. I'll see if I can find anything. Otherwise sorry for the miss information.

[Rich]

The officials guide says that rulebooks, casebooks, Wisconsin adaptations, Wisconsin Bulletin articles, etc. should be taken to all contests.

This is a general statement, which doesn't apply to any particular sport. And those items listed above (except for the bulletins, which are only saved if there are specific interpretations made) are taken by my crew to all contests. And they stay in a bag in my car or in the locker room.