[Larks]

Anyone catch the article in the latest referee magazine about fishing for games?

While I think that calling assignors and asking for specific games is bogus, I dont think it's a big deal for me to keep assignors updated on my open dates. In fact, most of the assignors in Cincinnati ask you to send your opens in throughout the season.

I know assigning is done differently throughout the country but why is this practice considered agressive?

I'm not talking about sending christmas cards or hams or whatever. I am simply talking about conducting the business related to the assignor / official relationship.

In sales there is a line and it's goes like this.....make sure you ask for the business. So if I have the opportunity to talk to an assignor, am I wrong in saying, __________ thanks for the games this year. Can I go ahead and hold the same Fridays for you next year?" as an example. Too agressive? He can always say "I am not going to work on that until August, I'll give you a call". But he could also say "yep and hold a couple Tuesdays for me too.

Or, ______, I have an open Friday on Dec 22nd (I do actually) if you need a fill in. I dont know about elsewhere but if you have a pulse and raise you hand on a Friday around here, you are pretty much going to get a game. In fact, I almost believe that you could commit to zero games in advance in SW Ohio and simply by being available, you will end up working 30 games. A couple assignors actually mass e-mail about 300 refs once a week with games to fill.

But I digress....On or about December 20th, I am going to send out an e-mail to the 6 guys I work for saying I am open and I'll bet anyone on this board a hot fudge sundae that I'll get a game because somone is sick, hurt, the league added a game, whatever.

Is this wrong? Is it wrong in your area?

Why shouldnt I be proactive in trying to schedule my opportunities? I am as you know, a self employed independant contractor. Who is anyone else to tell us how we go about filling our schedules?