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Realize that many coaches aren't looking for an overnight wonder. It takes more than a few games to impress them (and your assignors) when you're competing for those spots against some who may have satisfied them for many years and who have established a proven track record.
I liken a good, young umpire to that of a good, young driver. Such young drivers may know the rules and handle the mechanics of everyday driving well, but it's being in that emergency situation that causes accidents. Sometimes overconfidence of the less experienced can cause an accident. Still, the young single male is going to pay high insurance rates because of what statistics show. They fall in a group of those to be cautious of.................
I assigned Dave Hensley to a game this week with an umpire who has done well on the field, but when put in a pressure situation, he apparently froze and needed "the vet" to aid him. (Perhaps Dave can relate his situation if he cares to). No doubt this "less experienced" official will learn from his mistake, but in doing so he put his partner in a very difficult situation. It doesn't mean he's a poor official; it just means he had an emergency ending in an accident. There's little doubt in my mind he'll learn to avoid the emergency for the future. The learning process is best done away from playoff fields..............
Those with greater experience have had greater practice and have seen and been in more of those emergency situations. Some may even have learned through their experience of having an accident---yet they've learned to avoid it by now. Statistics prove that also. Their group pays lower rates. Still, people are individuals and premiums will reflect the history of the individual within his group, but his group is not forgotten.
As an assignor, I see good, young talent who get into the better games at a faster pace than the less talented or less dedicated. Yet, that doesn't mean they're ready. The only thing they lack is experience to some "emergency" situations. Exposure to those situations comes with time.
Be patient. Your talent and dedication will pay off in the long run relative to those around you.
Just my opinion,
Freix
[Edited by Bfair on Oct 7th, 2002 at 10:10 AM]
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