Annual "Spoof" awards...

[ljudge]

Well guys and gals it's that time of year to share the stories of the "oopsies" that happened this season.  The high school chapter has annual "spoof" awards that get presented at the annual banquet.  It kind of goes like this.  When a referee for example goes to the kicking team's goal line he might get presented in front of the entire chapter with a "one way" sign.  He gets this gag gift (along with a few laughs) and gets a nice present for allowing all to share a laugh at his expense.  Another example came where our head linesman forgot his belt a few years ago.  Low and behold the Umpire had a spare.  What made it commical was the belt went ONE AND A HALF TIMES around his body!  LMAO.

So I'll go first.  I haven't worked high school all year and with my NCAA season being over I signed up to work a turkey day game as it's organization's biggest day and we're in the need of officials.  So, I packed up my suitcase Wednesday evening and when I got to the game site (45 miles from home) I learned that I packed two LEFT shoes in my bag.  AAARGH!  I was working side judge.  Imagine tracking receivers with two left feet!  Thank GOD the head linesman had an extra pair of shoes.  Of course I'm going to Disney so get out of being spoofed at this week's banquet.

I'm sure there other good stories to tell.  Let's have some fun and hear them.

Happy holidays everyone!

[RunRickyRun]

The infamous change of quarter during a punt play got us in a big way.  This was a 3-man crew on a Thursday, sub-varsity game, but embarrassing nonetheless.  The returner was tackled at the 48.  After the play, we send the teams to their sidelines; properly move the ball to the other end of the field for the second quarter; and change sides of the LOS.  When the teams came out, I directed the offense to my side of the ball; the L directed the defense to the other; and all appeared to be going well.  Then the L came sprinting in (thankfully before the RFP) and let us know that the chains were going in the wrong direction...

Actually, the chain crew were the only guys that had lined up correctly.  Although the H chooses to take credit for that, he was as ready as everyone else on the crew to get the quarter started with the teams facing the wrong goal.  We all get grief over the matter, and deservedly so, but the one that catches the most is the L for coming in and trying to correct the only thing that wasn't bassackwards.

[clearwall]

Not really a story built into this, but during the opening kickoff of one of our varsity games, my Umpire lined up on the Pressbox side(5 man mech). I was so used to(as the L) looking at my B, confirming the sideline is clear and that he has 11 on the kicking team and putting my hand up. Imagine my surprise to see our 280 lb ump instead

[zoom]

I made it all the way (1 hour drive) to my 4th every varsity assignment 30 minutes before the crew was due to arrive.  It was then that I realized that I had left my pants on the ironing board at home.  I am 6'4" and weigh 180 lbs, and I knew no one would have pants that fit me.  I called my white hat to report the situation, then drove home, where I had my son standing at the end of my driveway with my pants.  Standing in the driveway, I put the pants on, then put my dress pants on over them, and made it back to the school with about 45 minutes before gametime.  Already having the pants on, I dressed in record time while covering PSK enforcement, ball responsibilities, and positioning on the Try.  I ended up having a great game and got good ratings.  But I will never know how I didn't get pulled over for speeding driving through those Rhode Island back roads!

If we had an OOPSie award on our board, I'm sure I would have earned one for that!