Quote:
Originally Posted by JRutledge
That sounds like an overall problem with your system. We have a ratings system to and I have never called, contacted or asked a coach to rate us other than when we have to give an ID number. And it has never hurt me once. In all three of my sports I have worked deep in the playoffs in all of them and never once had to ask for a rating or a Top 15 list selection from a school. Then again that rating system we use is only a small part of our overall system and selection. And I am sure I work at places where someone does not like the job I do or do not like the positions I take with them. I do not go around worrying about making them happy if I am doing my job properly. Also we should never be asked to do such things in the first place. Which at this time I do like our system because of that fact. But that does not mean that people do not try to get better ratings by doing what you said your friend does. Usually that does not work that well for most or what they appear to expect. And certainly do not all of a sudden work the State Finals as well.
Peace
|
I worked in the Illinois system for a while as I was licensed there in basketball from 2004-2008. I only worked 6-10 games there a season, usually during holiday tournaments, so I never got concerned with the details (knowing I'd never work enough games to get chosen for the postseason). But it does seem like a better, albeit much more complicated system.
We have 6 levels of official here. To be a Master (the top level) in baseball, you only have to work 8 varsity contests in an entire season. I have 8-game WEEKS. We have people assigned deep into the playoffs that work mainly FR and JV games all season long. In basketball, you only need 16 varsity contests to be a master. A female official working only girls games only needs 8. To be a "master" official.
Last season, I was not assigned a regional final, but picked one up when an umpire got injured. My partner that day was a guy that drove almost 2 hours to the game and when I got there told me he had never worked a Division 1 (big school) varsity game. He had only worked 4 varsity games all season. He was rated by 3 coaches and once the high and low were dropped off (as they do here), he was rated a 5 out of 6 and was considered a "highly rated umpire."
Needless to say, the first thing I said to him was, "I'll work the plate." He had one call on the bases and missed it. He was constantly out of position, but he knew what time it was cause he was wearing a wristwatch on the field. Nice guy, but awful umpire.
I used to judge my worth as an official by things like "post-season assignments" but I'm finally learning that as long as I live here I'll need to find some other measuring stick. Fortunately, I have no shortage of good regular season games to work.