I can now add “operating a scoreboard” to my Bingo card.

When it comes to the Albany Patroons, I will do whatever is needed for the team, short of playing small forward. It’s a community team, you help where you can, and the reward is that the team lives on and thrives and you feel pride in your small part of the process.

Sing the national anthem when the anthem singer didn’t show up? Done it. Operated the 24 second shot clock? Done it. Broadcast games on the livestream? Done it. Worked the long book? Done it. Worked the PA system? Done it. What it takes, I will do.

And after Tuesday’s game, the director of audio-visual for the Patroons approached me. “Chuck,” he said, “If you’re able, I would like you to work the digital scoreboard for the New York Phoenix. The person who normally does that won’t be there on Friday.”

Yikes. Listen to me – working a scoreboard isn’t just giving a player two points for a field goal and one point for a free throw. There’s a whole bunch of other factors to remember – crediting fouls, operating the game timer, remembering how many time-outs each team possesses … and one wrong keystroke will have the entire crowd coming down on me like ping-pong balls on Captain Kangaroo.

“As long as I understand what to do,” I said, “I’ll help out.”

Yeah, I know – gold and kelly green till the day I die, but there’s no law that says I can’t help the Capital District’s OTHER pro basketball team, is there? Besides, a rising tide lifts all boats.

Okay. So I have from Tuesday night to Friday evening to familiarize myself with the Phoenix’ digital scoring system. The Phoenix, like the Patroons, use a laptop-based software program provided by PCscoreboards.com, who have digital scoreboard programs for several sports and competitions. Both teams use PCscoreboards.com’s VC Pro software package, and all I need to do is download a seven-day trial of the program and familiarize myself with it.

Yep. And while I’m at it, I need to compute the infield fly rule, explain cold fusion, and calculate the weight of an African coconut. Yeah. Easy.

But I was up for the challenge. Chuck does not back down from a challenge.

And on Friday night, I arrived at Armory Studios NY with at least a rudimentary understanding of the scoreboard program. This is good.

The Phoenix were to host the Reading Rebels, a team that is sorely in need of a victory. I haven’t seen rebels humiliated this badly since the time General Sherman marched into Atlanta.

Of course, I had on a Patroons fleece jacket. Because, well, I was wearing one that day and it was a tad chilly in the building. Someone walked up to me and said, “You need some Phoenix gear.”

“I don’t have any Phoenix gear,” I said.

He handed em a black-and-red silicone wristband. “Now you do.”

That’s fine.

Of course, several of the Phoenix players – many of whom were former Patroons – gave me some good-natured ribbing for me wearing the Patroons colors at a Phoenix home game when the Patroons were that evening on the road in Halifax. I get it, I get it …

By the way, remember what I said about the Reading Rebels being hungry for a win?

Nuh-uh. Reading arrived 45 minutes late to the arena … and they only brought FIVE PLAYERS and their coach. I kid you not. This is the box score.

Suffice it to say … the Phoenix roasted the Rebels. Beat them like an episode of COPS. The Phoenix won 148-105, at one point they had nearly a 50+ point advantage over the visitors. Yikes.

I made it through the scoreboard with only a couple of hiccups – but I had already alerted the referees that this would be my first time operating the scoreboard, and they were patient with me on the few goofs I made. Nothing totally egregious. But as the game progressed, I became more comfortable with the software. And thankfully it was on a game where the Phoenix were going to win anyway – I mean, you’re bringing FIVE PLAYERS on the road against the #1 team in the North Atlantic Division, what were you expecting?

And at halftime, I made a decision. And Patroons fans … forgive me for this. Forgive me this one indiscretion.

I went to the souvenir stand and purchased a red New York Phoenix T-shirt, size XL. And when the Phoenix players returned from the locker room, and I unzipped my fleece to show the home team crest … oh, they had fun with that too. Even snagged a photo or two of me that I’m sure are now on social media somewhere.

But again … I learned a new basketball ops skill. And if there’s a need for a scoreboard operator at the Patroons game … I can roll up my sleeve, put on one of my (twenty or so) Patroons T-shirts or my (twelve or so) game-worn Patroons jerseys, and really show my fandom.

But again … a rising tide lifts all boats. And you help where you can.

That’s what you do.