Controlling the Board

Taft Field at Ludlowe (Photo; Falcon Football/Facebook)

There are many people that fans at games can have a problem with. A couple of those people have jobs in the press box. Those are the PA announcer and the scoreboard operator. 

Well, I have a duty of being the scoreboard operator for the Ludlowe home football games at Taft Field this season (bring on the hate messages now). 

I've done the scoreboard for plenty of sports, most notably baseball and basketball, at many levels. I've even done it for sub-varsity football. However, doing running the scoreboard for a varsity football game is different. 

Overall through three games, I've learned that it's not too hard. Like anything, once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier. Knowing the sport definitely is important, as you know things to look for.  

Oh, I've messed up. Luckily, it hasn't been that often and I haven't gotten yelled at. 

One of the things that makes football more difficult, at least for me, as opposed to say basketball, is being able to see the field. 

Being up in the press box, it's s decent way down to the field. Plus at night, with the glare sometimes from the lights, it's somewhat tough to see. 

There are many things needed to look for. You need to look at the signals from the officials, most notably when to start and stop the clock. You also need to see the down and distance, which is on the far side of the field. 

That being said, as I've done it more, I've gotten more comfortable. 

It's been fun in the booth with Phil Simpson doing PA alongside. We've also been joined in the booth by members of the Ludlowe team who are filming. Tonight, we had some of the Darien Athletic Foundation Media crew, led by Damian Andrew, who was broadcasting the game. Thanks, guys, for some of the corrections. 

It's been three games, and we have two left at home for the season. November 11 against Bridgeport Central and Thanksgiving morning for Warde. 

After that, we will be on to winter sports, including basketball. That's more my comfort zone.