Allegiance (sp?)

[JJ]

As a former assigner, I can say from personal experience that assigners are overworked and underpaid on ALL levels. I can also say that people who turn back games for no GOOD reason (as the assigner, I get to decide what a "good" reason is) get bumped down the list pretty fast. Conversely, people who accept last minute assignments get moved UP the list pretty fast as well. They are also the people who get more chances to "prove themselves" on short notice, and if they have what it takes they get better games faster.

When I first started umping, my phone would ring and people would ask 1), "Are you available?", and 2) "Are you any good?" If I answered "Yes" to #1 they didn't care what the answer to #2 was. A fill-in who is reliable will get LOTS of games.

As to staying faithful - the first group I belonged to was strictly for high school level officials. I "outgrew" that group after about 10 years, when I moved on to college ball. I am still asked to "guest" now and then, but I do not attend their regular meetings. The group I'm in now is strictly for college level ball, and I am active in it and will remain so as long as I am active in that level of ball.

GBA

[Edited by JJ on Dec 9th, 2001 at 05:00 PM]