IOWA FB Officials

[buckrog64]

Good luck tonight....

I'm not sure football will see the huge crush on need for officials, but I sure wonder about basketball sometimes....a lot of these small Iowa schools have separate school districts that share one football program, and then may or may not compete against each other in basketball. So a lot of schools have their own b-ball programs which means the need for more officials in many cases. Some guys I know who have done varsity work over the years are finding little to complain about when reffing lower level games on a local basis, particularly if there are a lot of games to be covered. I know one night in my town, with two high schools and two middle schools, there was a need for something like 20 officials to cover the different games, from 7th grade on up to varsity.

[Junker]

Looked like you had a great game Bobo. I caught the score as I left the Newton game (which was also very well played) and then the highlights on the news. Nice job from the 45 seconds of the game I got to see.

[Junker]

Originally Posted by buckrog64

Good luck tonight....

I'm not sure football will see the huge crush on need for officials, but I sure wonder about basketball sometimes....a lot of these small Iowa schools have separate school districts that share one football program, and then may or may not compete against each other in basketball. So a lot of schools have their own b-ball programs which means the need for more officials in many cases. Some guys I know who have done varsity work over the years are finding little to complain about when reffing lower level games on a local basis, particularly if there are a lot of games to be covered. I know one night in my town, with two high schools and two middle schools, there was a need for something like 20 officials to cover the different games, from 7th grade on up to varsity.

It has been my understanding that the state was sitting pretty good on football and basketball officials. They REALLY are in need of baseball umpires.

[MJT]

We had Newell Fonda at Bishop Garrigan last night in the first round. 40-13 and a pretty good game actually. Garrigan is pretty good, 10-0 now and it will be interesting to see how the do down the road.
Hoping for a phone call today about a round 2 game.

Originally Posted by Junker

It has been my understanding that the state was sitting pretty good on football and basketball officials. They REALLY are in need of baseball umpires.

I'll believe that. The other 4 on my football crew do baseball, and they all already have contracts in Iowa for Summer 2008, with "promises" from the same AD's that they'll have about the same number of games in 2009. The fellas commented that it's easier to get a high school game in Iowa than in Nebraska. I would assume it's because it's a summer sport in Iowa and a spring sport in Nebraska, where it would have to compete with track and whatever else is offered in the spring.

[Junker]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

I'll believe that. The other 4 on my football crew do baseball, and they all already have contracts in Iowa for Summer 2008, with "promises" from the same AD's that they'll have about the same number of games in 2009. The fellas commented that it's easier to get a high school game in Iowa than in Nebraska. I would assume it's because it's a summer sport in Iowa and a spring sport in Nebraska, where it would have to compete with track and whatever else is offered in the spring.

1 of the problems is having to compete with softball. The games are usually shorter and such. Personally I can't take all the chants and cheers so I stay with baseball.

[buckrog64]

I was watching the Southern Cal/Pleasantville game. The crew was primarily from Sioux City and they did a real good job. You can sure tell the difference between an experienced crew willing to put in a little extra effort, and the crew that shows up each Friday night.

One crucial play towards the game winning scoring drive included a running back who was in three point stance and hiccuped a little during the signal calls. He just jerked slightly, and of course everyone saw it, but he reset, the defense didn't come offside, so the officials let it go. It's very close to simulating the start of the snap, but i've seen more people let it go, than call it. Any thoughts? What if the D sees it and comes offside? Do you blame the back?

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by buckrog64

...One crucial play towards the game winning scoring drive included a running back who was in three point stance and hiccuped a little during the signal calls. He just jerked slightly, and of course everyone saw it, but he reset, the defense didn't come offside, so the officials let it go. It's very close to simulating the start of the snap, but i've seen more people let it go, than call it. Any thoughts? What if the D sees it and comes offside? Do you blame the back?

REPLY: The problem is not so much the defense encroaching, but rather the possibility that the defense sees it and relaxes or straightens up out of a 'ready' stance believing that a flag will be thrown. Now A snaps the ball and B is already at a disadvantage in the play. That's why I believe that this false start (that's what it is) should most definitely be called. Too many officials give the backs and WRs a pass saying that they can reset. Too much bad stuff can happen when that's permitted. And there's absolutely no rule support for allowing them to reset. Flag it and shut the play down. You won't hear an argument from either side--except for the possible "They let us reset last week."

Originally Posted by Junker

1 of the problems is having to compete with softball. The games are usually shorter and such. Personally I can't take all the chants and cheers so I stay with baseball.

I forgot Iowa has softball during the summer too. We don't have that problem in Nebraska. Softball is a fall sport. I guess that would explain the difficulty in finding people to work the baseball games in the summer. Also, you have to remember, Nebraska has Legion baseball in the summer, so our guys do get spread thin with that as well.

[qcumpire]

I was at the Bettendorf vs. Iowa City High game working the radio broadcast (yes I'm an official and a broadcaster...strange combination I know, but at least I know the rules on the air). The Des Moines area crew that worked the game did an excellent job. I don't have their names, but I wanted to say "great job".

[BoBo]

Being in Boone you just wonder whose eyes are in the stands. We had a pretty good game i thought. Course the sidelines may have different view points but what can you do. Seems like every play one of them is searching for something.

All in all great atomosphere, coaches were great, kids great too bad somebody had to lose.

Checkout my first scrimmage play scenario on anothe topic on the board. Blew me away.