Author Topic: 40 Second clocks  (Read 36853 times)

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Offline Navcom

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40 Second clocks
« on: September 24, 2020, 02:52:11 PM »
I'm seeking to buy used play clocks for my kids High school field. Any advice on how to find used play clocks ? new clocks are 10K.

Offline ElvisLives

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2020, 04:40:52 PM »
I'm seeking to buy used play clocks for my kids High school field. Any advice on how to find used play clocks ? new clocks are 10K.
Check your local school district(s). They may have some, or know of a district that has some. Next, check with manufacturer’s, such as Daktronics or Spectrum; see if they have any used clocks. Be sure they do 25 and 40 seconds, though.
Good luck.

Offline blandis

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2020, 09:43:43 PM »
Check with you State's governing high school body. The use of play clock displays have been banned in California, even on college fields that have them.

Offline JasonTX

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2020, 10:44:02 PM »
Check with you State's governing high school body. The use of play clock displays have been banned in California, even on college fields that have them.

Let me guess, playclocks are known to California to cause cancer.  Seriously,  what is the reason?

Offline AlUpstateNY

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2020, 11:11:04 AM »
I'm seeking to buy used play clocks for my kids High school field. Any advice on how to find used play clocks ? new clocks are 10K.

Yeah, have more faith in the R/BJ's ability and judgment to regulate and monitor "Play Clock" duration at the Hight School level.  Those players that move on to higher levels will have ample time and opportunity to learn and adjust, and High Schools, across the nation can save bundles of cash for far more important purposes.

Offline HLinNC

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2020, 01:03:26 PM »
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the nation can save bundles of cash for far more important purposes.

Nah, they'll just have to spend it on shot clocks in HS basketball if that ever gets pushed through.

Offline blandis

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2020, 03:23:47 AM »
Let me guess, playclocks are known to California to cause cancer.  Seriously,  what is the reason?

   Too many schools likely complained that they don't have the money to spend on a play clock system. There really is no legitimate reason why the said no. California is a screwed up state.

Offline zebrastripes

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2020, 12:35:21 PM »
Yeah, have more faith in the R/BJ's ability and judgment to regulate and monitor "Play Clock" duration at the Hight School level.  Those players that move on to higher levels will have ample time and opportunity to learn and adjust, and High Schools, across the nation can save bundles of cash for far more important purposes.
Whatever dude.

Offline bama_stripes

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2020, 03:44:12 PM »
All of our contracted schools have them — even the schools in disadvantaged areas.  Many were paid for by soft drink companies in exchange for exclusive pouring rights.

Some of our schools paid extra for  play clocks with a smaller built-in game clock on top.  That really helps the crew in time-sensitive situations.

Offline ElvisLives

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2020, 04:01:44 PM »
Some of our schools paid extra for  play clocks with a smaller built-in game clock on top.  That really helps the crew in time-sensitive situations.

Indeed - game clocks at both ends of the field are SWEEEEET! That should be the standard "banker's package" or "drink vendor's package," i.e., game clocks at both ends of the field and play clocks (more that 12' off the end line, padded supports, and at least 10' high).  Y'all might note that play clocks are not required, but are strongly recommended in Texas (U.I.L.). I have not encountered a field/stadium that didn't have them since I returned to HS football in 2017. Now, competent play clock operators, on the other hand...

Offline stevegarbs

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #10 on: December 30, 2020, 12:00:13 PM »
   Too many schools likely complained that they don't have the money to spend on a play clock system. There really is no legitimate reason why the said no. California is a screwed up state.


Illinois is no better when it comes to play clocks- we are at most about 25% of schools have them, and that is with a recent surge. Many more spending limited funds on replacing grass with artificial turf, and some are already looking to install their second such fields as the first have worn out. Sponsorship rules vary widely across the state so that is not always a potential funding source.


The way our conferences and school districts prioritize their spending on these items is often discouraging to officials. We still have conferences with only 3-man (and sometimes 2-man) crews for freshman games, and there is no support for moving to 6-man or 7-man crews due to the lack of consistent commitment to paying for it across the state.

Offline AlUpstateNY

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #11 on: December 30, 2020, 12:39:51 PM »

Illinois is no better when it comes to play clocks- we are at most about 25% of schools have them, and that is with a recent surge. Many more spending limited funds on replacing grass with artificial turf, and some are already looking to install their second such fields as the first have worn out. Sponsorship rules vary widely across the state so that is not always a potential funding source.


The way our conferences and school districts prioritize their spending on these items is often discouraging to officials. We still have conferences with only 3-man (and sometimes 2-man) crews for freshman games, and there is no support for moving to 6-man or 7-man crews due to the lack of consistent commitment to paying for it across the state.

Another possibility might be that visible (40 or 25 second clocks) is simply NOT a necessity.  As for "Turf Fields" I was told that 2 reasons supporting the cost effectiveness of Turf is that the ability to play multiple sports on a single Turf field dramatically lowers the cost of long term playing field maintenance and durability as well as being far less affected by weather. 

Although on field play-time management by field officials has been generally effective for generations, periodic "bad habits" creep into consistent administration, but increased focus and training concentration to emphasis consistency remains an effective means of correction and elimination, at far less cost and upheaval. an example would be the added attention schools have put into improved provision of effective "Chain Crews, Ball rotation, field security and sideline management that accompanied the interest if visible field clocks were added.

Sadly, recruiting shortfalls may be a larger impediment to larger field crews than cost considerations in many areas.

Offline ElvisLives

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #12 on: December 30, 2020, 01:30:38 PM »
I'll take plastic grass and play clocks any time I can get 'em. (Just, please, please, let me talk to the PCO before the game.)
Next up: Referee's field microphone at every field/stadium.  :)

Offline AlUpstateNY

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #13 on: December 30, 2020, 05:19:07 PM »
I'll take plastic grass and play clocks any time I can get 'em. (Just, please, please, let me talk to the PCO before the game.)
Next up: Referee's field microphone at every field/stadium.  :)

Not suggesting "Play Clocks" are necessarily evil, but when expectations, are allowed to keep advancing towards absolute perfection, in every minute detail, NFHS level football will cease being a necessary learning level  of a game enjoyed and played by children, that offers unlimited progress and potential to a select few.

In addition to required "field microphones", heaven forbid "Instant Replay" becomes a requirement of NFHS level games. 

Offline ncwingman

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2020, 05:48:43 PM »
I'll take plastic grass and play clocks any time I can get 'em. (Just, please, please, let me talk to the PCO before the game.)
Next up: Referee's field microphone at every field/stadium.  :)

I think I've only ever been to two high schools that had a field microphone -- and one of them I've never been on a varsity night, and they don't use it for JV.

I don't think I've ever thought that the white hat really needed a microphone. The only time it might be useful is correcting the game clock, but somehow we manage.

Offline HLinNC

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #15 on: December 31, 2020, 06:05:59 PM »
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I think I've only ever been to two high schools that had a field microphone -

I can only think of one right off the top of my head here in the west.  There might be 2-3 more.  Seems like some that did, stopped.

Offline JasonTX

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #16 on: December 31, 2020, 08:44:09 PM »
I think I've only ever been to two high schools that had a field microphone -- and one of them I've never been on a varsity night, and they don't use it for JV.

I don't think I've ever thought that the white hat really needed a microphone. The only time it might be useful is correcting the game clock, but somehow we manage.

The mic is a handy tool to communicate to the rabid fans.  Have you ever had a situation where the crowd goes wild over a call or no call and you just wish you could make a quick announcement to explain?

Offline ncwingman

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #17 on: January 01, 2021, 11:27:51 AM »
The mic is a handy tool to communicate to the rabid fans.  Have you ever had a situation where the crowd goes wild over a call or no call and you just wish you could make a quick announcement to explain?

Honestly, no. Any time there's rabid fans disagreeing with a call/no-call the explanation would have to devolve into a rules clinic about the differences between NFHS/NCAA/NFL rules. I don't think explaining how "the tackle box" is not a thing in high school would really quell the crowd.

Usually when the crowd reacts to us "not knowing the rules", I just think to myself, "Well, that's why I'm making the big bucks here"

Offline riffraft

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #18 on: January 01, 2021, 11:29:28 AM »
I'll take plastic grass and play clocks any time I can get 'em. (Just, please, please, let me talk to the PCO before the game.)
Next up: Referee's field microphone at every field/stadium.  :)

I like plastic grass most of the time, except when we have a 110 degree day here in Phoenix, then you better be real hydrated and prepared to change at halftime.  Hard to believe how hot the plastic grass gets.

Offline AlUpstateNY

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #19 on: January 01, 2021, 11:58:10 AM »
Honestly, no. Any time there's rabid fans disagreeing with a call/no-call the explanation would have to devolve into a rules clinic about the differences between NFHS/NCAA/NFL rules. I don't think explaining how "the tackle box" is not a thing in high school would really quell the crowd.

Usually when the crowd reacts to us "not knowing the rules", I just think to myself, "Well, that's why I'm making the big bucks here"

Absolutely agree, "rabid" fans are far more interested in being "rabid", and calling attention to themselves, than rule interpretation. Paying ANY attention to them is a "fool's errand".  I always carry a couple of our Chapter business cards with me on the field, going to/from if confronted by some "rabid" fan, I've found presenting a card, with the polite message, "We're always looking for new good men (or women)" usually stops any further pontification.

I remember, a sadly fading time, when obnoxious people were simply ignored by others and eventually shunned into silence, rather than celebrated and encouraged to keep acting foolish.  It worked pretty well then, I bet it would again.

Offline theride

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #20 on: January 01, 2021, 11:27:22 PM »
Best clocks on the market right here.

https://ready-ref.com/play-clock/

Offline ElvisLives

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #21 on: January 02, 2021, 08:17:58 AM »
Best clocks on the market right here.

https://ready-ref.com/play-clock/

I’m an architect and I work mostly with public school districts. I strongly recommend to all my clients that they avoid wireless game/play clock systems. Regardless of claims to the contrary, the wireless signals are highly subject to RF interference. Every time I go to a stadium/field and they tell me that, once in a while during every game, the clock (game or play clock) “acts up” and seems to stop momentarily, or flicker, or go blank, and then run down a few seconds very quickly, it turns out the clocks are wireless. Every time. I tell my clients they are better off to get hard wired clocks, even if it costs a bit more. With new construction projects, the additional cost is almost negligible - only the cost to run conduit from the clock positions to the pressbox (especially if they are going to have a plastic grass field), which is something we’d virtually always include in a project, anyway, regardless if they choose to use a wireless system. That way, when they become dissatisfied with the wireless, they can easily install a hard-wired system. Yeah, a bit more difficult and additional cost to retrofit into an existing field/stadium, but worth not having the aggravation of continual clock issues.
The RFI issue is quite real. If you use crew-comm radios, you have probably heard phones ringing, static, squealing, other conversations, etc., in your ears. Those same RF signals can wreak havoc on any form of wireless transmission systems.

Offline bama_stripes

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #22 on: January 02, 2021, 08:56:00 AM »
Elvis is 100% correct.  The wireless clocks work perfectly — until you put a couple of hundred (or thousand) fans in the stands all using cell phones, coaches using headsets, etc.

We had several schools in our area that had to do retrofits, and they were NOT happy.

Offline CalhounLJ

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #23 on: January 02, 2021, 08:58:21 AM »
I do agree with this statement from the ad:
"Clock Systems greatly improve the flow of football, lacrosse, and baseball games played in your stadium or field of play."

Offline ncwingman

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Re: 40 Second clocks
« Reply #24 on: January 02, 2021, 11:52:25 AM »
Elvis is 100% correct.  The wireless clocks work perfectly — until you put a couple of hundred (or thousand) fans in the stands all using cell phones, coaches using headsets, etc.

We had several schools in our area that had to do retrofits, and they were NOT happy.

A county near me got sold on some wireless scoreboard system (not the ready-ref) for all the regional public schools (4 of them). They're all terrible like that with constant connectivity issues. They also operate using an iPad thing which means only one person can operate the entire scoreboard. There is a second device for the game clock, but you can't have a third person running the play clock too. Also, using a touchscreen device means there's no tactile button - you have to look at what you're hitting and you can accidentally "hit the button" without thinking since there's no required force.

Anyway, long story short, don't go that route.