Delaware River Camping Trip, June 2010

River Camping Weekend June 19-20, 2010

Five of us went on an overnight camping trip on the Delaware River, Father's Day weekend (June 19-20). The challenge was that we had to carry all camping gear and everything with us on the boats. We did the Eshback to Delaware Water Gap trip, total paddling time about 7 hours.

The trip was done with Adventure Sport http://www.adventuresport.com/trips_2.html  in Marshall's Creek, PA. We arrived at the rental office at 9am, settled up and signed our waivers. Oh, when you call and ask how much the canoes\kayaks are to rent, the price you pay is PER DAY, not the "TO RENT" amount you may have been told or ASSumed. Anyways, we then drove our cars to the Water Gap Access point, which was good because when we were finished we could just get in our cars and go, no waiting for a shuttle ride back. 

Now this was where we made a mistake, trusting Adventure Sport who said there was plenty of drinking water at all the access points along the river.  Well, there was NO drinking water available to us at ANY of the PA access points, and the first water we found was at the Worthington State Forest, NJ access point, near the end of the second day.  I spoke to someone on Monday from Adventure Sport, who blamed it on the State Parks people not informing them that the new plumbing wasn't done on time at ALL the access points in PA.  But since Adventure Sport runs the river trips, and are on it every day, they should have known better.  We would have just brought more water with us.  We had some water with us to start the second day, but those other access points were like mirages, not oasises.  It was just a good thing we went before the summer heat waves, the night was mild and the days were sunny but not crazy hot. ok, I think I ragged on Adventure Sport about that enough, and actually, other then that, their people were very good, and yes, I'd go again with them, but I will ALWAYS carry enough water when camping, and not rely on drinking water being available along the way.  It WAS ironic to need drinking water while floating down a RIVER full of the stuff for 2 days! ok, RANT OVER.... where was I??  oh yea.... the trip.

Adventure Sport took us in a van, towing the trailer, from the Delaware Water Gap up to the Eshback access point.  We had 2 canoes and 2 single kayas for the 5 of us. One canoe we called "The Mule" because we loaded it with most gear and rotated one paddler in it.  These canoes can hold 1100 pounds total weight, so even with 2 people you can still carry a lot of weight, not that you WANT to, because paddling a full canoe was a very good workout.  The single kayaks didn't have much storage area at all, maybe the size of a small bag and jug of water.

We started at Eshback and from there most of the way down, the river is beautiful and clean.  You can look down and see the river rocks passing by below you.  Other people stopped to fish (you need a fishing license).  There were small mountains on either side of the river, and we saw hawks and eagles flying above.  At one point we saw a large cat walking along the water's edge... wait, no, it was too large for a cat...  paddled closer...  a racoon?  no, paddled closer...  It was a bear cub! He scampered off into the woods.  The first hour or so, we had headwinds, which made canoeing harder as the wind tried to turn you sideways a lot.  The kayaks were much better with that wind because you sit low in the water, so less of the boat or person to catch the wind.

There are a number of campsites along the river BUT maybe half weren't usable, with grass a few feet high.  So if camping, it's a good idea to start on the river early in order to make sure you can find a spot for camping, or you may have to go a long way down river on the first day!  We were sitting around the campfire around 10pm and some guy walked up the bank from the river.  I thought it was a Ranger at first.  But he was part of a good-sized group of people looking for any spots to pitch tents, and had paddled back upstream stopping in all the campgrounds.  If you arrive by early afternoon, you should be ok, and we saw some private campgrounds that maybe you could reserve too.  Camp sites were very basic... dirt, trees and a ring for camp fires.  There was no water, or out-houses.  Think Lewis and Clark.... well, minus the LL Bean tent!  :-)  

All in all, it was a good challenge, not an easy paddle even though there was a mild current when the wind eased up thankfully on Sunday.  It was fun camping, after we got the tents up, we jumped in the Delaware and swam. The water was cool, not cold, and felt very good after paddling and unloading the boats. We hung out by the campfire, ate vacuum-packed foods mostly that we cooked on a small burner. It was good sleeping weather, in the 60's at night and minimal bugs. Note to self: Self, bring a mat for under the sleeping bag next time!  It was fun, but seeing that I-80 bridge was nice, knowing the Water Gap access was ahead.

The Crew... Kyle, Jake, Jim, Bruce, Joe

FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010

Final World Cup Thoughts (July 14)

A few last words on the 2010 World Cup, from a lifetime sports fan, but new soccer fan.

I DID NOT LIKE the bad Calls. I'm not a big fan of instant replay, think the calls should be up to the officials on the field, bla bla bla... But to have a ball clearly bounce a few FEET inside the goal and bounce back, a call like that in games where one goal is a lot, that should never happen. Put instant replay in for checking if a goal crossed the line.

FIFAWorldCupSoccer2010
I LIKED the format. Every 4 years, countries qualify to be one of the 32 teams. The cut to 16 teams is different, a round robin with 8 groups of 4 teams, who play each of the other 3 teams once. After the Group Of 16, it's similar to the NCAA March Madness playoff brackets, single elimination. But for most of the tournament there was at least one game on television every day.

I DID NOT LIKE all the diving and faking of injuries. I haven't seen so much diving since the old "Sea Hunt" show. Every time there was any slight contact someone falls on the ground and cries for their mommy! I think the championship game had even MORE acting than other games did, shame to see that in a big match!

I LIKED the game itself, a fairly simple rules game. I see why it's the main sport in the rest of the world. Watching quality players goaltend, "dribble", pass, and bend some of these rocket shots was great. The free corner kicks are cool, hmmm, wonder if that would work in basketball, a free pass in from the corner? Just don't understand how they over-kicked those corner kicks so many times.

I DID NOT LIKE the time clock counting UP. Extra Time, Additional time. Does anybody really know what time it is? (Does anybody really care?). It's weird enough that the clock runs UP. I mean, doesn't EVERYTHING count DOWN? New Year's Eve goes 3,2,1. It doesn't go like 31535998, 31535999, 31536000 HAPPY NEW YEAR!! But to not know how much "extra" time is left, as the referee keeps that "extra" time to himself, is very strange.


I LIKED that there are no television commercials during the game, they just play straight through. That might work against soccer though, as the Advertising industry must HATE that there are no commercials spots for them during play. Wish my DVR would sense games that run long, so it doesn't CHOP OFF THE RECORDING! grrrrrr. maybe it will by 2014, when they play in Brazil, and we can see the games live in prime time for a change!

I DID NOT LIKE the noise pollution known as Vuvuzellas. May this be the last time you hear that word, let alone the beehive horn sound these non-fan idiots make the entire game, every game. Stick that in your vuvuzella and blow it!

I DID NOT LIKE the handball goaltending. There was a ball going into the goal and a Uruguay defender, not the goalie, illegally blocked it with his hand. There was no goal counted, only a penalty shot (which Ghana missed), and a one game suspension issued, which the hand-ball defender gladly accepted. This is the same as in basketball, but at least there is a goaltending rule. So, if I am elected Commissioner :-) any shot that is clearly going to be a goal, and is blocked illegally, like that hand ball was, will count as a goal AND a red card (suspension).

But all in all, it was a fun tournament to watch, and I hope soccer can move up in the USA.

RANT OVER TILL 2014!!! Hmmm, ROADTRIP TO RIO???

Soccer... Is it Ready For Prime Time? (June 11)

To a soccer fan from anywhere in the world outside the USA, it might sound strange to even ask this question, because soccer (aka Futbol) is THE main sport in most other countries. But maybe 2010 is the World Cup that can actually capture sports fans here, I think it is...

Here are some questions I had because I was no big World Cup expert at all, just wanted to understand how it works better. If you have any questions, ask here and I'll post an answer, as I'll be updating the bracket results until the World Cup is finished in July.

What is FIFA World Cup? - The Federation International Football Association, runs the World Cup which plays in a different part of the world every 4 years, similar to the Olympics. These games are being played in South Africa. There are qualification games to become one of the 32 country teams to get into the World Cup.

How many games are played in Group matches? - There are 8 groups of 4 teams. Each team in this first "Group Play" round, has one game against each of the other 3 teams. The 2 best teams from each group move forward to the Round of 16. From there, it's similar to the NCAA basketball playoffs, going from 16 to 8 to 4 to 2 to the champions. So only the Group Play round is a different concept than most sports playoffs in the USA. I listed the Tie Breaker rules below, for Group Play.

Group Play Tie Breaker Rules "The ranking of each team in each group will be determined as follows:
a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
b) goal difference in all group matches;
c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.

If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings will be determined as follows:

d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
e) goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
f) greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned;
g) drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee."

One score and seven games ago......

The 2009-10 high school basketball season, which is well under way now, is my 20th as a basketball referee (IAABO - International Approved Basketball Official).  I referee both boys and girls high school games in the Southern New Jersey area.

Basic Questions People Ask Me

Were you born blind or was there some accident that caused you to lose your vision? Just kidding, people don't really say that stuff... much... usually... depending on the school! :-)

What are the differences in reffing boys and girls games and which do you like doing better? Well the first difference is that you need to check for a girl's 28.5" ball versus the boy's games using the 29.5" ball. But girls games are fun, different skills, like maybe better jump shooters and my opinion is they box out better. Boys COULD box out better but they don't try as much. Girls games have more jump balls and traveling, fewer block\charge calls, but they are scrappier and seem to end up on the floor more than the boys do. I like doing both, they're different styles of games and nice to be able to switch between them.  Interesting how there is a men's board with women's refs, and a woman's board with men, and we do girl's games.

How do you stand listening to the players and coaches after every call? Well, on players, people think it's like the NBA where players go at it with refs verbally. Not so in high school (as much), we have one "speaking captain" that can politely speak with the refs, but no players can go off on refs, or they get a technical foul. Coaches? ok, part of what they do is to put on a show, for maybe their players, to motivate them, or the fans. So, if you ref, and especially at certain schools, you KNOW you'll hear it from those coaches. The coaches that are better at it, will know the limits of what they can say to you, without cursing, without being too much, but yes, they are enough to get under your skin. But then, they're the ones that get tuned out, and that isn't to their advantage either. And the fans? hey, they maybe pay to attend these games, and I really don't care much what they have to say, unless they get too vocal or of course any personal threats. One funny story, I was doing a game and had an out-of-bounds call, I was handing the ball to the player and felt someone shove me in my back and say it was a bad call. I stopped and turned to see what this guy's deal was. I hear his daughter say "Dad, you can't hit the ref". Now she looked about 60, so dad was around 80. I just said, "That's right, listen to your daughter, you can't hit the ref". I guess other people have more serious confrontations but I've never really had any major issues, or fights at any games. I remember a story I read about, where a game in Atlanta was going on, and a fight broke out, and the article said shots were fired. Then the interesting line said "the refs returned fired!". Oh, now THAT would be a different pre-game check. Whistle? check, Jacket? check, GUN? check..... :-)

Do you get paid to ref? Yes, it covers the cost of gas, ref clothes, water, fees, Ref magazine, etc...

Why do you referee? I played basketball as a kid over in Delco, later men's leagues in NJ, then coached a few years and saw an ad for referee training school. I signed up and love it. It's a great way to exercise, as those kids seem to get faster every year. A great way to stay part of organized basketball. We do various charity events, including reffing Special Olympics games, which I've participated in for most of my 20 years.  It's also good training for the corporate world, if you can keep crazy fan-packed games (and yourself) under control, it definitely helps in those similar work experiences.

What is the toughest call to make? Well, the block\charge call is probably the hardest, just because of the quick response needed. You need to see if that defender was set, in a defensive position, and got hit in the torso, and when they got position, before\after the shooter went airborne. For me, the next toughest "call" is more about dealing with irate coaches, watching that they stay in the coaching box, and keeping a communication open with them.

Basketball... Misconceptions?

3 Second Count - The 3 second count is when an offensive player is in the lane, his team has control of the ball in the front count, and no shot\rebound is happening.  So, if you see a loose ball bouncing around, or rebounding action happening, there is NO 3 count then. If the player in the paint with the ball gets to 3 seconds and then does not shoot, then yes, it'll be called a 3 second violation, but if at 3 he THEN turns and makes a drive to shoot, then it won't be called a 3, even if that drive sent him to 4+ seconds in the paint.  You'll frequently see a ball being tapped or loose, and someone yelling "THREE SECONDS".  I guess in summer, they are the same people that yell "BALK" every time the pitcher steps off the mound and doesn't throw to third base!  :-)

5 Second Count - While on counts, let's talk the "closely guarded" 5 second count in the front court.  A player can actually posses the ball and be closely guarded for up to 12 seconds.  Here's how...  The 5 second count starts when a defended is guarding within 6 feet, so the offensive player can hold the ball for 4 seconds, and before hitting that 5 count, start dribbling, for 4 more seconds, still closely guarded, then lift the dribble and hold the ball for 4 more seconds.  As long as none of those separate counts reaches 5, then no violation has occurred.  So, 4+4+4 = 12 seconds,  The count starts fresh on any new dribble or held ball. Also, if the defender backs off, beyond 6 feet, then the 5 second start would start again.

10 Second Count - Some weirdness with this count also.  The offensive team has 10 seconds to bring the ball across the division line into their front court.  If they are dribbling across the line, then they must have the ball and BOTH FEET in the front court to be considered IN the front court.  So, if you dribble the ball over the line and one foot is still touching the back court, they are still considered in the back court, and the 10 count is still going. Need both feet and the ball, all touching the front court to end the count when dribbling across.

Defender Moving so is it a Block or Charge? - There's a common misconception heard on a CHARGE call "the defender was moving".  Yes, a defender in a legal guarding position is allowed to move, the block\charge call should be more about where the contact was on the defender.  If they are hit squarely on their torso, then even if they are moving, the call probably should be charging. 

High Dribble Illegal? -  People will yell for a traveling violation when the dribbler bounces the ball high, but just based on the height itself, there is no rule that says you can't dribble higher than your head even.  What should be looked at more, is how long the ball stays in contact with the hand, so if the ball is being held\palmed\carried then there is a violation, but not just because of the height of the dribble.   

Recovering a Fumble - Get football out of your head, an offensive player ends a dribble and then fumbles the ball, runs to it and picks the ball up.  Legal play, you can recover your accidental fumble. 

Self Pass - You cannot pass the ball to yourself.  You will hear this on a shot when the shooter is first to get to the shot ball, especially on an air ball shot.  But, they are entitled to get to the ball just like the defender, as long as it's not deemed to be a self-pass, meaning not an actual shot, but a pass.

Basketball Rules

The National Federation basketball rule book is a lot larger than the casual fan might think.  Below, I listed the 13 original basketball rules, a BIT shorter than the annually changed published rule book!

13 Original Rules of Basketball - Written by James Naismith

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1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.
3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.
4. The ball must be held by the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.
6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.
7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).
8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do no touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edges, and the opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.
10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.
11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
12. The time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five minutes rest between.
13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner.