Rain Game

The college game this weekend was the first rain game I worked in several seasons. But, rain games on synthetic fields take something away from the experience. Rain, mud, and slick fields used to be a neutralizer and made the playing field even. Game changing turnovers used to make for some exciting upsets.

This is not to say the there were no fumbles. There were plenty. It just wasn't the same. If we're going to be wet and miserable we might as well be nostalgic and have a mud bath as well.

The real difficulty with this game was keeping the ball dry. I held the ball under a towel between downs and had to scramble backwards to get into my spot.

I don't have a lot to report because my game card was useless in the rain (Game cards are basically pre-printed 3x5 cards. The card just fell apart in the rain.) I don't even remember the score. I didn't throw many flags.

Now, if you are interested in learning a bit more about the position I work during college games, the following newspaper article is very informative.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20081101/SPORTS/711019787&SearchID=73335636808831

And yes, I was knocked down on the first play of tonight game.

One Down, Six to Go

Well, successfully completed my second college game. This score-fest ended 54-32.

Both wing officials and the Side Judge were from my local area and I've worked many high school games with these three officials. Whether real or imagined, I felt the eyes of scrutiny would be more severe during this game than my first game last week. At this stage, I think it's almost easier working with guys you don't know.

I had never met the White Hat. This always make the pre-game a bit strange. The Referee and Umpire have a unique relationship. There is a lot of give-and-take as far as how the game will be run. As I gain more confidence at this level, I can see where I will soon be saying something along the lines of 'this is how I plan on doing X' and the WH can override me if he wishes. Right now, I'm taking the approach of 'how would you prefer me to do X'. In some cases the WH asks me what I would like and then we go with my preference. Clearly, you need to able to adjust to the crew you are working with.

Although the WH is the boss, I have control over most of the game adminstration - how fast the ball gets set, relay the ball from the sideline, marching off penalties, doublchecking the ref does not do anything foolish, confirming with the Linesman on penalities, digging for fumbles, often helping on short passes over the middle, etc.

I only made two mistakes I am aware of. The big one was on a long punt where we had two live ball fouls and did a re-kick down back around the 10. I put the ball on the wrong hash mark. My down indicator indicated the left hash, but I put the ball on the right hash. On some plays where a lot of things happening, the balls gets rushed in, the WH rushes the 'ready', some players asks me a question, etc I may forget to reset my marker. I second guessed myself when I reset the ball. I was wrong and should trust my ball marker next time or ask for help.

The second one was minor. On a change of possession a ball was marked on sideline. When placing the ball on the field, because players were blocking my view, I used cross-field mechanics to put the ball down. But, when the ball marked on the field I should have used the ball and not cross-field. Make sense to me and easy to fix going forward.

The White Hat told me more that once I showed 'good hustle' and I made his job easy during the game. I never told him I was a Candidate and this was only my second college game. I take this a compliment.

Day Jobs and Scrimmages

I missed the second controlled scrimmage on Thursday because of a crisis at work. My boss was on vacation and it was just one of those things I could not pawn off on any of my employees. I had to involve Sr. Management and the corrective action impacted about 40 people who had to work through the night until about 4:00AM. Not the ideal time to say I need to go a scrimmage -- see ya!

This really sucked, because I needed to get back on the horse after the crap-fest scrimmage on Tuesday. So many things I need to work on so they become more ingrained. Oh, well. The more I work this level the more I realize I don't know crap. Everyone told me this would happen, but you know, this would never happen to me!! I'm starting to get nervous.

Scrimmges 'R Us

Saturday is both college scrimmage day and one of the HS scrimmage days. I'm required to do both in order to work games. Luckily, our college regional rep is also part of our association (and my former HS crew chief) and he was able to negotiate a deal with the HS head guy. But we still need to work and hour at the HS scrimmage, then run over to the college scrimmage, then back to the HS scrimmages. Next Sat will be the same thing. What a pain.

I did get the schedule for the first half of the college season - three games. I don't work the first two weeks. I guess this is ok since we were really only promised four games for the season. I get the last 5 weeks of the season in 10 days or so. If I get 6 games for the season I'll be ok with it. Since I work primarily at Umpire, I should be happy with what I got. There are 22 umpires and 17 games per week. Getting 3 games is pretty good I guess.

Next year I'll have to push to work the wings.