The state softball tournament ends its five-day run at Fort Dodge Friday and the state baseball tournament gets underway with quarterfinal round games at Des Moines.

It must be time for football.

Well, maybe not quite yet. But, it’s not that far off. Opening night at Kingston Stadium is 34 days away. The Shrine Bowl, featuring the top seniors from a year ago, is Saturday afternoon at the UNI-Dome.

So, yes, it’s time to get ready for some football.

The Cedar Rapids Athletic Officials Association is doing just that. The organization is responsible for training officials and is relied upon by local schools to supply officials for many games at many levels.

The organization will hold its first meeting for new officials on Tuesday, July 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Grant Wood Area Education offices (4401 6th St. SW) across the street from Hawkeye Downs.

If you have ever considered putting on the striped shirt, consider yourself to be in good shape, and enjoy working with kids, you may be interested in finding out what it takes to be an official. For more information, go to the association’s webpage at craoa.com. At the top you will find a link to meeting schedules, and down the left side are links for membership application and requirements.

Men and women are welcome.

The CRAOA also is responsible for training basketball officials, so if you are more inclined to stay out of the elements but still have a desire to run up and down the court, the same webpage will put you in touch with the right people. Again, the page is craoa.com.

We all love to watch the games. But the games need officials.

Thirty-four days and counting.

We can hardly wait.