Date:         Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:01:03 -0400
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
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From:         Mark Mittelstadt <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Why do you have five watches?
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The young AR wanted to know after seeing me rummaging around in my ref bag. "One's set for each time zone I work in," I calmly replied. (Actually not?a lie as they were all?set for Eastern Daylight Time.) He paused. Then realizing he's standing before?a paunchy mid-50s gentleman crouched over a cluttered ref kit, he called the?bluff. "No, really." 

"Well," I replied, "you never know when they might come in handy."

Like ... Saturday, as I was?getting ready to head out the door for men's State Cup?games a half hour away:?

- Badge. Check
- Flags. Check
- Whistles. Check
- Cards. Check
- Pens and book. Check. Check
- Yellow, blue, red, black shirts. Check. Check. Check. Check.
- Coin. Check.
- Watch. Che ... Nooooooooooooo.

The strap on my?Casio ceremonial WC watch?suddenly?separated from the timepiece. Drat. After 10 minutes of trying to?reinsert it, I got the magnifying glass.? The plastic bracket holding the pin to the timepiece broke. Darnit! Oh, well, deal with it later. I'll dig out my second favorite, the Adidas ref watch from a couple WCs ago, a gift?which I have?used regularly, including a few weeks ago.?Except today?it doesn't buckle ..?the rubber strap has cracked and broken. Aaack!

OK, the Optimum Time English football watch which?got me through a tournament a few weeks ago is still?in the bag. Except?today it's going?crazy with? "Normal Time" automatically adding time and a "low battery"?indicator flashing.?No, this can't be happening! I should be half way to the field.?

Next in the bag, the Timex digital?with the battery I had?replaced in?December which is now?... dead. 

Finally I get to the trusty old Timex Ironman?the dog had chewed up?and I had had to rescue a few years ago?in a manner that doesn't need to be discussed here. After cleaning it off?and replacing the?wristband it was perfectly useable. I had had to?replace the battery twice. But it took a licking?and kept on?ticking, including through three matches in the heat Saturday.

Why do I carry five watches? 

Because?some morning?four just might not be enough.

Mark?