When I register with the state association, I'm agreeing to work the associated games in accordance with the association's rules. If you don't like the rules, you are free not to register with them, but you are also giving up working associated games.

The state association here is the regulator and while I don't know about Michigan, I do know Ohio will levy a significant fine if you ignore their regulations.

Not in all states... but I just checked mine, and nothing on that license says I have to cowtow to rat AD's asking "non-germaine" questions trying to talk me into a corner or bait me into an argument.

He (radio blue) said he wouldn't even call.

If that's part of the procedure in a state, I'd call. but I also "cowtow to rat AD's asking "non-germaine" questions trying to talk me into a corner or bait me into an argument".

The two ideas can co-exist.

It's on Missouri's. Word-for-word.

I hope you mean you play a cowtow game with him, because I think it would be impossible for him to bait me, or you, into an argument. If I had to call him he would get yes/no answers to yes/no questions and not much else.

If it is not a yes/no question then ... "Uh, you want to rephrase that question so I can answer yes or no?"

Yes! Parameters my a$$. If I get an AD or principal who doesn't know what an F-Bomb is, he shouldn't have the job. If he asks me a loaded question like that, I will cheerfully let him know that it is none of his concern just what the criteria is that I use to eject. In the case of his little snot that I ejected, hey, he said something to get ejected. Period. Read my report for further detail. Our assignors here back us up with ADs and other school personnel on matters like these, and take zero crap from them.

It's a two-way street. If they want to insist I'm an IC, they don't get to tell me how to accomplish a task.

My game contract is not with the state association. They insist officials are independent contractors, then thrust an adhesion contract (registration) in your face that violates many of the tenets of an IC relationship.

I administer games in accordance with the PLAYING rules. Uniforms, mechanics, and post-game administration are the province of the IC. If they want to dictate otherwise, they can adhere to ALL the tenets of the employer/employee relationship.

Another two-way street is, "If you don't like how I administer games, don't offer me games." I make myself available to work; I don't ask for games. Schools don't have to offer them via their designated assignor, but they do.

All I'm saying, Rut, is that we aren't their employees, so if they want us to be ICs, I'm going to behave like one, regardless of their "contracts," the terms of which I have no say.

They can't have their cake, and eat it, too. If you allow that, you do yourself and your fellow officials no favors.

Many officials will polish any apple, shine any shoe, and kiss any a$$ for a shot at the state finals. That's short-sighted. We aren't the whipping boys of the state association or the schools. Too many are willing to be treated as such, and that's why we are.

They like to tell us how valued we are, but when push comes to shove, they'll throw us under the bus.

It sounds like you are more worried about kissing someone's *** than you are doing your job. Yes I am an independent contractor, but that means that I do not work for the school or the state. But if I am a contractor in any other profession, it is possible that you will be governed by rules or laws that have nothing to do with who I work with or under. If you are an insurance agent, , you might not be an employee for a company that you sell products for, but if you want to keep your license you better follow the procedures that are asked of you or in those cases you might be fined or go to jail. Now it is not that series as an official, but if you do not want to play by their rules, then do not take the games. This has nothing to do with going to the state tournament or not. I know if a league which you claim you work more than HS wanted you to do something, and if you did not do what they asked you might not be able to work games. I do not see the big deal.

Peace

MHSAA does not require a phone call any longer. Simply log on to MHSAA.com and fill out the officials report. The state and both schools are notifed.

I'm sorry to say, but you are just wrong here.

To get the contract in the first place you have to be a registered official. To be a registered official, you have to agree to abide by the bylaws of the association.

If you register as an official and yet refuse to conduct yourself according to the association's rules and regulations, you have failed to conduct yourself with integrity.

There is nothing inconsistent here with an independent contractor relationship.

You are incorrect. I received a telephone call on Tuesday afternoon from MichiganHSAA Assistant Director Mark Uyl. He wanted to make sure I had contacted the Athletic Director the first school day after the ejectioni, because the school's AD had contacted him to request information about how to complete the his school's game report response.

MTD, Sr.

I don't recall ever saying I wouldn't even call.

Mark's responses have always struck me as reasoned. I'm not sure what trouble he could have been in had he simply answered the AD's question with a "yes" and moved to terminate the call. I recognize that had he answered in the negative the AD had baited him, but it's not like the AD can prove he doesn't eject when he hears a player curse at him. It seems like the AD could have been shut down right there.

Probably because "Yes" was not the right answer.

Maybe I have your post's confused with someone else's. If so, I apologize.