Dave Johnson wrote: > At 5:01 PM -0500 31.12.2001, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > >Dear Listers, > > > >I was just reading the NJ Star Ledger and they had a story about how the lap > >counter at a meet did not ring the bell lap provoking the anchor leg on a HS > >DMR to run an extra lap. His 4-lap split was 4:23, and he was very annoyed > >that had the bell rang, he could've sprinted and maybe his team had a chance > >at the meet record (which they missed by mere seconds). I get very angry when > >things like this happens because the officials are there for a particular > >reason and they fail to (at times) realize it. In AAU competiton last year, I > >witnessed an official stop 3 consecutive 3,000m races a lap short! I can > >understand one, but 3!! He even went over to one of the participants, who was > >now at a water cooler, and informed her that she had an additional lap! What > >if she didn't advance? Another example occurred an indoor county meet in NJ, > >where the official physically prevented the runners from exchanging the baton > >and attempted to make them run an extra lap. Officials, pay attention to the > >track, PLEASE!! > > > > > >Larry A. Morgan, Sr. > >Elizabeth Heat TC > > ======== > > As much as I sympathize with your identification of incompetency, I issue > one warning: the only way to ultimately take care of the lap counting > problem you identify is to become a lap counter yourself. I'm sure you can > claim that you already spend enough time coaching, but there are many > coaches who also officiate. And I've seen an awful lot of coaches who > screwed up royally and then look for every whichway out of the pickle > they've created by and for themselves. Don't get me wrong, meet directors, > administrators, athletes and spectators (have I left anyone out?) screw up > too. Just try watching a mile (or 1600m for Walt Murphy's sake) in their > shoes. > > Dave Johnson > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I realize that another point is being made here but I was just told a few weeks ago that coaches are not allowed to officiate in Canada. I don't know if there are similar rules in the US. Regards, Martin
