[bossman72]

It is definitely worth it. I'm a young official and a competitive guy. I treat my officiating like it's any other sport that I play- if you're not working to improve on last year with a 'never satisfied' attitude, then you should quit right there since you won't be worth a damn to your team. I feel the saying applies to both officiating and sports. You either get better or get worse- there is no third direction in my book (sports or officiating).

This may not be true for some others who 'just like being out there' and don't care if they have a bad game or not. They will probably take a lower level game instead of a varsity game so they can get the "easier money." I use playoff and 'big game' selection as one of the many barometers to see where I'm at. This is why I participate on these boards and what not- to get better and learn from great officials since I want to be the best official I can be.

This is different for some who are grizzled vets that have accomplished very much in their career. In this case, I say that if you are umpiring at a level in which you are ABLE to work a 'big game', but you CHOOSE TO give way to a newer rising official in the name of being a mentor and giving them the experience in big games, then I say that's fine since you are improving the quality of your chapter by doing this by getting the young guys experience. This is ok doing it a few times, but not so much as to totally compromise your schedule.

But to answer Pete's scenario of giving up Varsity games to do JV and younger games for possibly more pay and less intensity- I would never personally do this (at least in this stage in my career. Year #4 coming up). I want to be in the highest league that matches my skill level. If i'm good enough to work low level non conference varsity games, I will work as much of those as I can. If I can work a championship, I will definitely work that. If I'm only good enough to do 9th grade games, I will work those.

But the point I'm trying to make is- I'm not going to trade off a more competitive game just to make it "easier" on myself.

This would be like Tom Brady going and playing in the CFL since there isn't as much pressure as being on an 18-1 NFL team and it's a little easier on him, IMO.