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Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!kobold!tjt
From: tjt@kobold.UUCP (T.J.Teixeira)
Newsgroups: net.sport.football
Subject: Re: yard markers
Message-ID: <207@kobold.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-Nov-83 17:55:54 EST
Article-I.D.: kobold.207
Posted: Tue Nov 29 17:55:54 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Dec-83 02:24:55 EST
References: <446@ihuxb.UUCP>
Organization: Masscomp, Westford, MA
Lines: 16

When measuring for a first down they mark the place where the chain
intersects one of the lines that cross the entire field every 5 yards.
This point is used as the reference point when the chains are moved
across the field to where the ball is.

There could be a problem making the chain perpendicular to the yard
line.  This could be done by eye, and if it is that close, you could
swing the chain slightly: it is perpendicular when it is farthest away.
Five degrees of error at five yards is less than an inch and only
rarely is the measurement that close.

Of course, the whole idea of measuring first downs to that sort of
accuracy is pretty ludicrous given how the ball is placed anyway.
-- 
	Tom Teixeira,  Massachusetts Computer Corporation.  Westford MA
	...!{ihnp4,harpo,decvax,ucbcad,tektronix}!masscomp!tjt   (617) 692-6200