This story is about Joe Sharpless, a past Commissioner of the Chesapeake Region (formerly Region 3 of the USVBA) and a National Referee.  When I first met Joe, he was commissioner, referee assignor, Digs editor, and tournament scheduler.  His wife Nancy was in charge of scorekeepers.  The Region was truly a “family operation” in those days.  I soon learned to respect his abilities in all areas, especially as a referee.  Joe had a weird whistle that looked very much like a naval bosom’s whistle (pipe to you Navy types) that was unique to any other whistle.  Just by walking into a gym, you could hear if Joe was refereeing or not.  But what I remember most about Joe and the ladder was the playoffs.  Joe Sharpless did not believe in going three games—if you lost the first playoff game, you had better put 15 balls on the floor if you hoped to win the second game!  You were going to get little or no help from the guy on the ladder.  Every team knew “Joe’s Rule,” and we all abided by it.

When I tell this story Joe never denies it.  He just looks at me and slyly grins.  We miss old Joe.  I know he will always be remembered in the Chesapeake Region.