EMBARRASSING MOMENTS

 I was never very shy in front of a microphone.  I hosted events at church and school funtions, did readings in church, was chairman of business organizations. announced a peewee football game or two, and was master of ceremonies at sports league banquets.  No, I wasn't shy.  

Once, at a varsity basketball game at Fenwick High School, I was asked at the last minute to announce.  Of course, I agreed.  Someone would be next to me keeping track of fouls, team fouls and time-outs.  No big deal.  I just had to talk.  

I'm now reminded of a famous saying that I just love.  "It is better to keep your mouth shut and seem a fool than it is to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

The first thing an announcer has to do is introduce the starting line-ups.  The other team gave me theirs very nicely.  For Fenwick, I had a program listing all the players.  When the teams are being announced, the two referees position themselves at each end of the midcourt line.  One was directly in front of me.  I was going real good, sounding professional, like (for example) "At center, 6-3 senior forward Joe Smith." .

 Well, I was searching through the whole list of players for each starter.  I thought I had them marked but I got to a point and couldn't find the fifth starter.  I looked and looked.  The crowd became testy.  I sweated. To top it all off, the referee right in front of me turned and asked "Are you guys going to play with only four, tonight?"  I was mortified.

I finished the night but never tried it again.