Better Games make one a better umpire

[JRutledge]

do not use it as an excuse for not improving. Politics is not always a bad thing. All politics is really, is getting to know people better. If the assignors or the people that it matters to likes you or knows who you are, it is easier for them to think of you when the time comes.

I had two different banquets that I went two in the month of April. I was not there to kiss up or even buddy, buddy up to the anyone. But I was there to show my face and to show the associations that I was committed and supported the associations. And it also helps that people can see my name and put the face together. Even in one of the banquets, one of the speakers was the State Championship Basketball Coach (AA big schools). And I had a chance to talk to him and if down the road and I end up on a court that he is coaching, he might react a little different with me because he had a beer with me and other officials. Now I am not suggesting that I will not have to spend an entire game getting to know this person, and it might help avoid conflict during a touch game.

I agree that the VETS get the better games, but often that is because people know them. Look, I am new to the area that I currently live. I had to put myself in people's faces in order to start some kind of reputation.

Do you really think that most decisions are made in a meeting or with a letter or on the phone. Most decisions are made in and out of officiating, at the bar, on the golf course and at banquets where people learn more about the person than what they do on a field or on a court.

Last thing. If you want better games, ask for them. If you aspire to work better games, ask the people that make the decisions. And at least if you are turned down you can ask why. You might get an honest answer and that answer might do a world for your career.

Now that is politics!!!!

Peace