Coaches Biggest Problem With New Rules ...

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

Not necessarily holier than thou. I just can't stand officials that think they are above stepping on a court for free and doing so is above them.

Mens rec league? I get it. I just believe in helping people out while taking the opportunity to get better and get some rust off. Let's not forget that it can also help you in the long run when the prime contracts are needing officials.

What does above or beneath have to do with it? Maybe some officials already volunteer and help people out in other aspects of life, and don't feel like doing it for sports. Maybe some officials spend money on camps in the off-season and don't feel they should also have to spend more of their free time on a court without getting compensated. Maybe the teams that are scrimmaging are teams that traditionally treat official like crap. Maybe some officials feel they should get compensated for their services and talents because this is a business. Maybe some officials have spouses who tolerate the paid gigs but aren't too understanding when their significant other is away from home volunteering more time on the court.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by Raymond

What does above or beneath have to do with it? Maybe some officials already volunteer and help people out in other aspects of life, and don't feel like doing it for sports. Maybe some officials spend money on camps in the off-season and don't feel they should also have to spend more of their free time on a court without getting compensated. Maybe the teams that are scrimmaging are teams that traditionally treat official like crap. Maybe some officials feel they should get compensated for their services and talents because this is a business. Maybe some officials have spouses who tolerate the paid gigs but aren't too understanding when their significant other is away from home volunteering more time on the court.

Perhaps. Nobody will say you are wrong, but we were talking about volunteering/doing scrimmages. Nobody brought up the long list of "maybes" that you did. To each their own.

Sounds like the difference between you and me is I don't view officiating as a "business". I already have a career. Officiating is a fun hobby that makes me a little money while getting exercise. Getting paid to exercise!!!!! It's quite unbelievable! I just believe that volunteering/working for free for me has been far more beneficial than not. It doesn't make a better person/official by choosing to do so.

[BillyMac]

As much as I love officiating, with some exceptions, I wouldn't do it for free.

Fees, traffic, fines, dues, traffic, insurance, traffic, travel, traffic, meetings, traffic, camps, traffic, clinics, traffic, uniforms, traffic, shoes, traffic, equipment bags.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

As much as I love officiating, with some exceptions, I wouldn't do it for free.

Fees, traffic, fines, dues, traffic, insurance, traffic, travel, traffic, meetings, traffic, camps, traffic, clinics, traffic, uniforms, traffic, shoes, traffic, equipment bags.

Did you consider traffic?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Did you consider traffic?

It's New England, "You can't get there from here".

My local area is bisected by the mighty Connecticut River, with only a few bridges that cross the river, forcing one to travel through heavily congested rush hour traffic on the few major highway bridges that cross the river. No such thing as a back road shortcut.

And the two ferries don't run in the winter.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

And the two ferries don't run in the winter.

This is what we call a "ferry" in Connecticut:



It's the nation's oldest (1655) continuously operating ferry service, more of a tourist attraction than a mode of transportation.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

As much as I love officiating, with some exceptions, I wouldn't do it for free.

Fees, traffic, fines, dues, traffic, insurance, traffic, travel, traffic, meetings, traffic, camps, traffic, clinics, traffic, uniforms, traffic, shoes, traffic, equipment bags.

Ha ha ha!!!!!!! Yeah I suppose it takes longer to get a game than it would take to actually do a game and makes volunteering not worth it. Not really a problem where I live.

I'm curious about a few things you listed. What do you mean by "fines" and "insurance"? Part of our fee that we pay the state to be an official goes for insurance. That's the only insurance anybody has here.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

I'm curious about a few things you listed. What do you mean by "fines" and "insurance"?

Many IAABO boards have access to voluntary supplemental insurance provided by the Borden Perlman Insurance Agency. It's a bargain at $7.00 each year, especially the death benefit for those without life insurance that could help a family pay for a funeral, and the accident insurance for those that don't have their own medical insurance.

Accident Medical
$25,000 Excess Accident Limit
$25,000 Physical Therapy
$25,000 Dental
$10,000 Accidental Death
Liability $5,000,000 Per Official/Per Location
Game Fee Reimbursement
100% of Game Fee up to $50 per game
$2,000 Max Payout

We have a "laundry list" of fines:

Missed game assignments – full game fee
Game turn-back due to not blocking date in the Arbiter - $15
Arbiter Late Partner Evaluation (submitted more than 7 calendar days from assigned game date): 2 to 3 Late or Missed - $25 Total; 4 or more Late or Missed - $50 Total
Missed Meeting(s): A fine of $25 will be assessed for each meeting not attended beyond one permitted missed meeting.

My first year, in ancient times © Mark T. DeNucci, Sr., 2018, the new guys were often assigned to work some men's recreation leagues (no more). I forgot to put a triple header on my calendar, and was a no show. I could of been fined three game fees, a steep penalty (plus I lost the three game fees, in essence a six game fee fine) for a low paid (at the time) teacher with a young family, but our treasurer took pity on me and only fined me a single game fee, dodged a bullet there.

We also have late fees, and possible assignment penalties (half season, full season), for paying one's dues, fees, or fines, late, or if one bounces a check.

Membership Dues Late Payment Fee - $50
Game Assignment Fee (7%) Late Payment Fee - $50
Late Payment For All Fines Fee - $50
Returned check fee is $25

Penalty for Non-Compliance Membership Dues and Game Assignment Fee
If not paid by April 4 – Eligible for Assignments January 15
If not paid by May 1 – No assignments for the entire season

Penalty for Non-Compliance with Fines
No Assignments for the entire season (if not paid within 60 days of Fine letter)

We have a new one. Attendance at the year end banquet requires a $20 deposit that you get back when you attend the banquet. We were paying for too many "no show plates" each year.

I had a last minute family emergency last year and lost my $20. I wonder if I can deduct that from my taxes as a business expense. I'll check with my tax accountants, Dewey, Cheatem & Howe.

[SD Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Many IAABO boards have access to voluntary supplemental insurance provided by the Borden Perlman Insurance Agency. It's a bargain at $7.00 each year, especially the death benefit for those without life insurance that could help a family pay for a funeral, and the accident insurance for those that don't have their own medical insurance.

Accident Medical
$25,000 Excess Accident Limit
$25,000 Physical Therapy
$25,000 Dental
$10,000 Accidental Death
Liability $5,000,000 Per Official/Per Location
Game Fee Reimbursement
100% of Game Fee up to $50 per game
$2,000 Max Payout

We have a "laundry list" of fines:

Missed game assignments – full game fee
Game turn-back due to not blocking date in the Arbiter - $15
Arbiter Late Partner Evaluation (submitted more than 7 calendar days from assigned game date): 2 to 3 Late or Missed - $25 Total; 4 or more Late or Missed - $50 Total
Missed Meeting(s): A fine of $25 will be assessed for each meeting not attended beyond one permitted missed meeting.

We also have late fees, and possible assignment penalties (half season, full season), for paying one's dues, fees, or fines, late, or if one bounces a check.

Membership Dues Late Payment Fee - $50
Game Assignment Fee (7%) Late Payment Fee - $50
Late Payment For All Fines Fee - $50
Returned check fee is $25

Penalty for Non-Compliance Membership Dues and Game Assignment Fee
If not paid by April 4 – Eligible for Assignments January 15
If not paid by May 1 – No assignments for the entire season

Penalty for Non-Compliance with Fines
No Assignments for the entire season (if not paid within 60 days of Fine letter)

Wow! That's a lot of stuff. Some of those same fines apply to us, but a lot of them do not apply to how we do things.

I totally understand the insurance part of it. That's a great deal! I already have medical and life insurance, so that wouldn't mean much to me, but it could mean a great deal for many people.

How does your fine system have anything to do with working a scrimmage for free/volunteering?

Thanks for the conversation and information.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

How does your fine system have anything to do with working a scrimmage for free/volunteering?

Nothing to do with each other.

We no longer volunteer to work free scrimmages.

Scrimmages are treated like any other assigned game. All fines apply, including the 7% assignment fee.

The difference is that we only get paid $50.00 (instead of usual Varsity Fee $97.17; Sub Varsity Fee $63.05), for three assigned officials who rotate into a two person game for six periods (about two hours).

So, in essence, the schools are getting about $240 worth of officiating for a scrimmage discount price of $150.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by SD Referee

... a lot of them do not apply to how we do things.

I'm curious. What do your guys get away with scot free (Yes Mr. President, it's not scott free), that our guys get fined for (other than partner evaluations)?

With 325 guys on our local board, we've got a few knuckleheads who would make life really difficult for our treasurer if these fines were not in place.

[bucky]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

As much as I love officiating, with some exceptions, I wouldn't do it for free.

Fees, traffic, fines, dues, traffic, insurance, traffic, travel, traffic, meetings, traffic, camps, traffic, clinics, traffic, uniforms, traffic, shoes, traffic, equipment bags.

And do not forget the traffic fines. Ouch!