Checking Footballs

[JRutledge]

Who cares who checks the darn footballs. All that matters it is done.

Peace

[Sturno]

I do it (U) after we (all 5 of us) meet with both coaches and right after the conclusion of the toss, which is almost always with 25 minutes before kickoff. We mention the ball check at tail end of pregame conference with each and ask HC's about any dedicated personnel for his game balls.

I look for two balls and will check what they have ready, if prepared. I have had heavy passing teams ask that I check 3 or 4, and if rain is imminent. Lots of times these are younger kids, I tell them the deal, get their names, we have them mirror the wing to that side and to always be ready.

Pump, gauge, and a mini green Sharpie I bring with me right out of the gate. I put a small x on both white stripes at opposite ends furthest from the laces toward mid seam on ball.

While that is taking place, R and LJ review field markings, pylons, field conditions, etc....(R visits clock operator if he doesn't come down, which he/she usually does). BJ and L will visit chain gang and confirm chains are properly set.

We walk out with captains from respective sidelines the wings are working, with R at midfield prior to toss. U with LJ and BJ with L. R goes with LJ, BJ with L off the field and U breaks away for ball check.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Sturno

I do it (U) after we (all 5 of us) meet with both coaches and right after the conclusion of the toss, which is almost always with 25 minutes before kickoff. We mention the ball check at tail end of pregame conference with each and ask HC's about any dedicated personnel for his game balls.

I look for two balls and will check what they have ready, if prepared. I have had heavy passing teams ask that I check 3 or 4, and if rain is imminent. Lots of times these are younger kids, I tell them the deal, get their names, we have them mirror the wing to that side and to always be ready.

Pump, gauge, and a mini green Sharpie I bring with me right out of the gate. I put a small x on both white stripes at opposite ends furthest from the laces toward mid seam on ball.

While that is taking place, R and LJ review field markings, pylons, field conditions, etc....(R visits clock operator if he doesn't come down, which he/she usually does). BJ and L will visit chain gang and confirm chains are properly set.

We walk out with captains from respective sidelines the wings are working, with R at midfield prior to toss. U with LJ and BJ with L. R goes with LJ, BJ with L off the field and U breaks away for ball check.

It takes 5 people to meet coaches? Or are the B/L/H there to protect you if the coach tries to injure the U?

R/U is sufficient. Let others do what they need to do and stop ganging up on the coaches.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Rich

It takes 5 people to meet coaches? Or are the B/L/H there to protect you if the coach tries to injure the U?

You know how dangerous it is to let the U talk without being monitored.

Originally Posted by Rich

On a kickoff the umpire touches the ball?

This is probably true in NY since they still use 4 officials in a lot of places.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Welpe

This is probably true in NY since they still use 4 officials in a lot of places.

Sad, but unfortunately TRUE. For 4 man Kickoffs, the Umpire delegates that responsibility to the Head Linesman. The point is, anytime a new ball is introduced into the game, it should pass through an official's hands, even for a brief second.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Welpe

You know how dangerous it is to let the U talk without being monitored.

Working a rare Saturday afternoon HS game this past week (rare for me, the college season doesn't start for another 12 days) and I'm working with a fill-in at the umpire position since our usual umpire was working the LLWS.

I asked the coach for his captain's numbers and when I got those, the umpire interrupted and said, "Who are your speaking captains?"

(Personally, I've contemplated losing asking for the captain's numbers line entirely since B/L/H can always record them during the coin toss.)

I guess he read my glare pretty well, cause afterwards he said, "I shouldn't have asked that, should I?" I said, "No, you just need to STFU." I didn't use the letters.

(Let me say that the U is a friend and a newer football official and I had a smile on my face.)

Probably should've handed him a Snickers as we were heading to the coaches.

[tomes1978]

Us umpires just can't catch a break around here!

[HLin NC]

(Personally, I've contemplated losing asking for the captain's numbers line entirely since B/L/H can always record them during the coin toss.)

You'd be SOL here, Rich. Somebody here decided a few years ago that we should turn and face our sideline to look for unsportsmanlike acts prior to and during the coin toss. Guess what most of our teams do, ....stay in the end zone. So then we send B down there if they are coming out of the same end to keep them apart. We end up staring at a couple of coaches, the ball boys, and a trainer, monitoring their behavior.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by Rich

It takes 5 people to meet coaches? Or are the B/L/H there to protect you if the coach tries to injure the U?

You jest, but we had an Umpire who was threatened by a HC prior to a playoff game last year.

[RadioBlue]

Teams can have balls inspected for approval at any time.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by CT1

You jest, but we had an Umpire who was threatened by a HC prior to a playoff game last year.

As a basketball official I have been lurking on this thread am curious about this playoff game.

MTD, Sr.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

As a basketball official I have been lurking on this thread am curious about this playoff game.
MTD, Sr.

During the R/U conference with the Home coach, the coach said to the U: "Hey, I remember you. You screwed me ten years ago when I was at (wherever) and we played (whomever). If you do that tonight, you won't get out of here alive."

After the conference the R found the Home AD & related the conversation to him. He said "I'll take care of it", and stood within earshot of the coach all night.

[Sturno]

Originally Posted by Rich

It takes 5 people to meet coaches? Or are the B/L/H there to protect you if the coach tries to injure the U?

R/U is sufficient. Let others do what they need to do and stop ganging up on the coaches.

We have always done it that way...and I do it that way with my 4 man JV crew as well, unless for some reason we are running late. That conference takes maybe a minute and a half to two minutes +/-, unless coach explains razzle-dazzle play or wants clarification on something.

Every crew I've been with or heading up since the early 90's has done it that way. Must be a Washington County thing.....

That said, we may be the one of the only crews in WI not into the wide stripes yet.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Sturno

We have always done it that way...and I do it that way with my 4 man JV crew as well, unless for some reason we are running late. That conference takes maybe a minute and a half to two minutes +/-, unless coach explains razzle-dazzle play or wants clarification on something.

Every crew I've been with or heading up since the early 90's has done it that way. Must be a Washington County thing.....

That said, we may be the one of the only crews in WI not into the wide stripes yet.

I think it's healthy to question practices from time to time. I can't imagine a single positive of a coach being ganged up on by 5 officials.

The R/U have specific reasons for being there. The rest? Have other jobs to do.

[Sturno]

Originally Posted by Rich

I think it's healthy to question practices from time to time. I can't imagine a single positive of a coach being ganged up on by 5 officials.

The R/U have specific reasons for being there. The rest? Have other jobs to do.

I don't really disagree, and would have no issue the other way....I'd like to see Wade's take on it, because there's at least 8 to 10 crews I know and/or have subbed with do it the same way, and quite a few of those go pretty deep in the playoffs or to Mad-town every year.

As far as the other jobs to do....you guys must come out late or really go deep into conversation with the chain crews and trainers with all the time you have left.