Four’s Company ...

[Dad]

It's not friendly when it alienates most new officials. New professional referees with high potential don't like the idea of wasting an entire night learning nothing. They'd rather show up, do a great job, and go home with some money.

Everyone learns in their own way and I don't care how they do it as long as they make my association better. Being the best is about having the best, not about arbitrary expectations of an imaginary rationale.

[Freddy]

With all due respect to the previous critique given... No, strike that. With NO due respect to the previous critique given...
What you were assigned to communicate, based on your board's wishes seems to have been clearly and forthrightly expressed. No overly flowerly language, no undue or harsh criticism, no calling people out unjustly, no "from the top down" pontificating (that's three commas in a sentence without a verb - ). This, meant for a closed group of officials, seems fitting for wider distribution beyond that to associations whose expectations are similar. Now, you know me. I'm about the most stuck-up grammar nazi there is on this Forum. Ending sentences with prepositions, for instance, is something up with which we ought not put. And you and I have privately critiqued each other's work many times, so I'm ready to suggest improvements if/as necessary. However, as to any alleged violations of rules of grammar, I don't detect none for you to give your attention to.
Looks good. Print it.

[griblets]

Originally Posted by Freddy

I'm about the most stuck-up grammar nazi there is on this Forum. Ending sentences with prepositions, for instance, is something up with which we ought not put.

The grammar nazis I know would never use back-to-back prepositions in a sentence.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by griblets

The grammar nazis I know would never use back-to-back prepositions in a sentence.

Most grammar nazis I know are like TV pundits talking about referees: they rely upon myths about about grammar that they picked up in childhood and never learned the real rules . . .

[Dad]

Originally Posted by griblets

The grammar nazis I know would never use back-to-back prepositions in a sentence.

I glanced at what he wrote and decided to ignore it.

[Adam]

This thing has run its course and devolved.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Dad

New professional referees with high potential don't like the idea of wasting an entire night learning nothing. They'd rather show up, do a great job, and go home with some money ... not about arbitrary expectations of an imaginary rationale.

These are not arbitrary expectations, but it is policy on my local Board. Not observing the first game, or not staying for the second game, will impact an official's future assignments.

In the past this policy was carved in stone (with established penalties; assignment penalties, and cash penalties), now it's only carved in wood, so officials need to be reminded of their member expectations.

Again, this is a "When in Rome ..." thing, and I'm fully aware that local listings will be much different in other geographic areas.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

These are not arbitrary expectations, but it is policy on my local Board. Not observing the first game, or not staying for the second game, will impact an official's future assignments.

In the past this policy was carved in stone (with established penalties; assignment penalties, and cash penalties), now it's only carved in wood, so officials need to be reminded of their member expectations.

Again, this is a "When in Rome ..." thing, and I'm fully aware that local listings will be much different in other geographic areas.

Goodbye potential.

There is no good reason to have this expectation except personal whims. They think it's practical, educational, etc.

At least they are moving in the right direction. I can't even fathom cash penalties.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Dad

Goodbye potential.

There is no good reason to have this expectation except personal whims. They think it's practical, educational, etc.

At least they are moving in the right direction. I can't even fathom cash penalties.

There is an expectation in my area, in the two other metro areas I've worked, that JV officials will stay and watch a few varsity games every year. Do they have to stay every time? Absolutely not.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by Adam

There is an expectation in my area, in the two other metro areas I've worked, that JV officials will stay and watch a few varsity games every year. Do they have to stay every time? Absolutely not.

To be fair, this is entirely different.

To move up in our association you need to get three reviews throughout a single year. I have no problem with helping officials.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Dad

To be fair, this is entirely different.

To move up in our association you need to get three reviews throughout a single year. I have no problem with helping officials.

It's different only in degree.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by Adam

It's different only in degree.

You get to research and choose two movies a year you think will be worth your time and be able to take some joy out of it.

You have to watch every movie that comes through a theater and despise movies for the rest of your life.

Are degrees fair here?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Dad

It's not friendly when it alienates most new officials. New professional referees with high potential don't like the idea of wasting an entire night learning nothing. They'd rather show up, do a great job, and go home with some money.

Everyone learns in their own way and I don't care how they do it as long as they make my association better. Being the best is about having the best, not about arbitrary expectations of an imaginary rationale.

New officials working subvarsity HS games are not guys that, typically, learn nothing by observing more experienced officials -- if they're looking for items to take away.

I agree that having this as written policy is absurd, however.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by Rich

New officials working subvarsity HS games are not guys that, typically, learn nothing by observing more experienced officials -- if they're looking for items to take away.

I agree that having this as written policy is absurd, however.

Agreed, but it highly depends on the association:

Do you have a good varsity official pool?
Who's good and who isn't?
Who has a bad habit newer guys will pick up?
What should you be looking for?

For a newer official it's so hard to get a good foundation, especially if you don't have much experience with the game.