AL Officials

[TampaSteve]

I have a business contact in Daphne so I watched a bit of the game.
It was unusual to see a ballboy running onto the field taking care of ball duties.
Is this the norm?

[Atlanta Blue]

Can't speak for AL, but it was the norm in GA until this year.  Now they are saying to keep ball boys off the field.

In reality, they are still coming on the field, but are usually stopping about the numbers.  Most umpires WANT them to run the ball out to the middle, as umpires want to run as little as possible!  But the new mechanic says keep them off the field.

I see a big difference between a 10 year old kid as the ball boy, and an injured player who is 17.  The 10 year old may not understand when and where he is supposed to be (or more importantly, not be), while the 17 year old injured player probably gets it.

Problem is, when they don't come on the field and simply hand the ball to the wings, the wings then have to throw the ball into the U.  Apparently, most wings were NOT former QBs, and I have seen some tosses go awry, and now we're back to umpires having to run after loose footballs, never a pretty sight.

[wvwhitehat603]

In WV we do not allow ball boys on the field at all. Our wings do a good job of getting the ball to the Umpire and we emphasize that the Umpire is NOT restricted to stay inside the hashes. We talk in pregame about relaying the ball and the I do not want to see a Joe Montana throw on a relay. Really how much effort does it take to toss the football to the nearest official on relays?

[TampaSteve]

Don't think there is an official 'restriction' for FL, but all I've ever seen is ballboys on sideline.
In as far as getting ball back to U rounde these parts:
*U not restricted to hashes. (goodness, watch a college game how far out U goes, & that's 7-man too)
*If ball dead inside the numbers, wing will generally do it himself.
*If dead on or outside the numbers, wing guy will relay to B or R to relay to U.

[Boodle]

In Alabama, our State Director wants to get as many people as possible involved in the game and encourgages ball boys to bring the ball to the Umpire.  Most teams change the ball after each play and have a ball boy running onto the field after every play.

[Rulesman]

...Most teams change the ball after each play...

Why do they think that is necessary? Better yet, why does the referee permit it? It does nothing but mess up the flow of the game.

[NWA_UMP]

That is why I have a BJ...of course depending on where the ball is down and what side we started on, I will get a ball from a wing and send it to my U...R's have duties in proper(smooth) ball mechanics as well!

[ECILLJ]

In Illinois, most crews, allow them to bring the ball out to the umpire after a change of possession. I am not sure if our Association has ever told us not to allow them on the field when the ball is dead. I have been doing this for to long, because I have players and coaches remind me they helped our crew as a ball boy.

[HLinNC]

In NC I think its still based on region.  We do not allow it but I know sometimes we have to put the brakes on the ballboys in non-conference games so I guess it is still allowed nearby.

We will change a ball out if a) the umpire calls for it, b)  the ball is dead in the side zone nearest to that team, c) a long incomplete pass.

[Atlanta Blue]

Why do they think that is necessary? Better yet, why does the referee permit it? It does nothing but mess up the flow of the game.

That's the norm here.  Doesn't mess up the flow at all.  It's what's expected, and it's how crews work.  Only time it's not done is during a hurry up offense.  It's done in HS, NCAA and the NFL.

I understand the FED rule, I'm just saying it's not the way it's done here.  It's done the NCAA way.

And besides, if we don't change the ball every play, how can we get the kicking ball into the game?   

[Etref]

Texas, we definitely keep the ball boys off the field (that includes kicking tee picker uppers also). It is too dangerous. The wing official will ask for a ball and the toss the ball underhanded either in a relay with the R or B or straight to the U.


Not saying we do it perfect but that is what we do.

[bama_stripes]

In Alabama, our State Director wants to get as many people as possible involved in the game and encourgages ball boys to bring the ball to the Umpire.  Most teams change the ball after each play and have a ball boy running onto the field after every play.

What he said.

Coaches want a dry ball in on every play, and as long as it doesn't delay my RFP, I don't care. But they better not start complaining if they send them in when time is critical.

Personally, I've tried to get our state mechanic changed for 7-man, but to no avail.

[NorCalMike]

In my Section of California, we have the ball boys bring the ball to the U. Most teams use youth players. I find the youth players are way better than an injured player. They see to maintain a game presence better. The injured players are too busy talking to the girls who do sports medicine. Never had a ball boy do anything that will get them hurt.

[Tom.OH]

And besides, if we don't change the ball every play, how can we get the kicking ball into the game?   
[/quote/

Always one step ahead, aren't you.


Not sure why my response ended up in your quote, stupid smart phone...

[FBUmp]

In Alabama, our State Director wants to get as many people as possible involved in the game and encourgages ball boys to bring the ball to the Umpire.  Most teams change the ball after each play and have a ball boy running onto the field after every play.

No offense to you but that's about as stupid as anything I've read on a discussion board lately.

[maven]

No offense to you but that's about as stupid as anything I've read on a discussion board lately.

Love it: you just told him that his post was idiotic! Do you suppose the post was accidental and not the result of careful reflection on the matter? What's to take offense at?

Dude, if you have the cajones to call a post stupid, at least let the guy get offended!

[ECILLJ]

It is probably a good thing that FBUmp works the middle. If he conducted himself like that on a wing, it could make for some long hard nights.

[HLinNC]

I don't think he is implying its a stupid post.  I think he's saying it is stupid reasoning by the state to "involve the ballboys". 

Some states do, some states don't.  I don't have an opinion really either way but do what I'm told to do here.

Watch a CFL game sometime- that is really bizaare.  Of course they are stopping the clock each time while they do it.

[WVABJ1807]

As a BJ, i take pride in, on running plays, running up and getting the ball and relaying it to the Umpire.  Its my job to work harder than anyone else.  Ball boys do not come onto the field for any reason.  I go to both sidelines and instruct both teams' ball boys on how we relay balls.

[James]

Catching up on some old posts.

Interesting how it is handled in the different areas.

We generally only change the ball if it is needed (pass to no-man's land or something, or it is very wet), but our LM/LJ are responsible for getting the new ball in, and our BJ for getting the old one out.

Ball boys stay on the sideline and will hand/toss the LM/LJ the ball who toss it to the U.

as stated by others -just how we do it here. A lot of states in Germany don't use ballboys, so the ball almost never gets changed.

[Roscoe]

This year my association is working very hard to keep the ball boy off the field. It's working out very well. Granted I am in Georgia, but if I ever transfer back to Alabama I will strongly suggest the way we do it. It keeps the flow going very nicely