Arbiter and the Over-riding of Blocks.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Mark, Jr., had a certain weekend in March "blocked" for all of the assigning groups the he either officiates basketball or umpires baseball or softball because he will be out-of-town for a wedding. And yet, this afternoon he receives an assignment for that weekend. When he contacted the assigner as to why he over-rode the "block" the assigner told him that he did not over-ride the "block" because it showed that he was note "blocked" yet Mark, Jr.'s Arbiter account should that he was "blocked" for the entire weekend.

Has anyone had this problem before? Thanks.

MTD, Sr.

Sounds like a question for Arbiter.

[LRZ]

I think that assigners can override blocks unless the official makes them firm. This may have been MTD, Jr.'s problem, as it was mine last week.

Here is what arbiter has to say:

A “firm” block is one that your assigner cannot override when making assignments. Normally, an assigner can still make an assignment even if you have a date blocked. They simply are notified that you’ve set a block, but they can still assign you. Marking blocks as firm prevents your assigner from overriding a blocked date or time.

After you have blocked a date, select view schedule in the action section.
Click on the date and the lower portion of the screen will show you the blocks that have been set on that date.
Click the edit pencil to the left-side of the block.
Check the box in the firm column then click the blue floppy disk icon to save.

[Multiple Sports]

As an assigner who uses arbiter the above post is 100%. If you are closed, I see a red "B" next to your name ( green if you are open ). However, I can assign you to any game even if you show blocked.

[JRutledge]

Well, it is possible that he could have had his blocks not "shared." That has been a problem for some around here in the past as we have several accounts for different groups. That being said, if he said he was blocked and the assignor gave him a game anyway, he can simply turn down the game. He has a wedding and it is some time out too. If they cannot understand that, they have bigger issues. I get that assignors want their games covered, but people have lives.

Peace

[sdoebler]

I help assign for a large area and am unaware of a "firm" block. The ability to override basically any block exists. You can see a list of officials, available officials, potential officials, and issue summary. Basically it tells you the reason that they are blocked. Generally assignors call the person and ask if they can override the block and assign them, but not everyone follows this protocol.

[kcoulter]

About 6-8 weeks ago, I discovered when I got a game for a time I was "blocked" that most of my partial day blocks had disappeared.

At first I thought I did something stupid, but the full day blocks remained and partial day blocks remained on days I had accepted games for.. so I can't figure out how I could have done it.

Kevin

[LRZ]

Screen shots are another technology I'm not good at. Try this--go to this page on arbiter: https://arbitersports.force.com/offi...Dates-and-Time

Scroll down about half way, to a section entitled Making Blocks "Firm" and Making Notes on Blocks

Essentially, you view the schedule, click on the date you want to firm up, click on the pencil on the left, then the firm box on the right, and then click on the blue disk to save your firm block.

[sdoebler]

Originally Posted by LRZ

Screen shots are another technology I'm not good at. Try this--go to this page on arbiter: https://arbitersports.force.com/offi...Dates-and-Time

Scroll down about half way, to a section entitled Making Blocks "Firm" and Making Notes on Blocks

Essentially, you view the schedule, click on the date you want to firm up, click on the pencil on the left, then the firm box on the right, and then click on the blue disk to save your firm block.

Wow thank you. Never seen this before and very useful. Not sure that anyone in our association is aware.

[Altor]

Originally Posted by LRZ

Screen shots are another technology I'm not good at.

The Snipping Tool has been a feature of any Windows computer since Windows 7 I believe. Click on your start menu and start typing "Snipping" and it will show up. It's very simple to use. Click the "New" button and drag-select the boxed area that you want to take a shot of. There's some nice highlight and marker tools if you want to draw attention to something. Then, click File...Save.

If you are using OSX, I'm sure there's a similar option. But, you won't catch me trying to find it.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by LRZ

I think that assigners can override blocks unless the official makes them firm. This may have been MTD, Jr.'s problem, as it was mine last week.

Here is what arbiter has to say:

A “firm” block is one that your assigner cannot override when making assignments. Normally, an assigner can still make an assignment even if you have a date blocked. They simply are notified that you’ve set a block, but they can still assign you. Marking blocks as firm prevents your assigner from overriding a blocked date or time.

After you have blocked a date, select view schedule in the action section.
Click on the date and the lower portion of the screen will show you the blocks that have been set on that date.
Click the edit pencil to the left-side of the block.
Check the box in the firm column then click the blue floppy disk icon to save.

Originally Posted by LRZ

sdoebler, you may be right, but this is a direct quote (with emphases added) from the arbiter website:

"A 'firm' block is one that your assigner cannot override when making assignments. Normally, an assigner can still make an assignment even if you have a date blocked. They simply are notified that you’ve set a block, but they can still assign you. Marking blocks as firm prevents your assigner from overriding a blocked date or time."

I only learned about firming blocks after several years of being on arbiter. Mark, is Junior aware of this capability?

Originally Posted by LRZ

Screen shots are another technology I'm not good at. Try this--go to this page on arbiter: https://arbitersports.force.com/offi...Dates-and-Time

Scroll down about half way, to a section entitled Making Blocks "Firm" and Making Notes on Blocks

Essentially, you view the schedule, click on the date you want to firm up, click on the pencil on the left, then the firm box on the right, and then click on the blue disk to save your firm block.

Thanks for all the help and information.

One thing that I want to get off my chest: A "block" means a "block"; adding a "firm block" is absolute nonsense. If the assigner wants to over ride the "block" then he needs to either call, text, or email the official and ask him.

MTD, Sr.

[LRZ]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

A "block" means a "block"; adding a "firm block" is absolute nonsense.

I agree, Mark. But it's another manifestation of arbiter's hierarchy, where officials are an afterthought, a necessary evil. Want to set travel limits? Only if the assigner permits. Want to block partners, schools or teams? Only if the assigner permits. Want to see your evaluations? Only if the assigner permits.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by LRZ

... it's another manifestation of arbiter's hierarchy, where officials are an afterthought, a necessary evil.

I understand the difference between block and a firm block from the assigner's side, one provides more flexibility, but for an official, what's the difference? Why would I have a need for both?

If I have a doctor's appointment, family event, church event, vacation, tickets to a sports event, or a concert, etc., I block for those reasons. As far as I'm concerned those are firm blocks.

Why would I have a need for something less than a firm block?

Come to think of it, I've also had a few experiences with less than firm blocks being assigned to me. Our Arbiter assignments build in a ninety minute travel "delay". Back when I was working, I indicated that I would not be able to leave work before 5:00 p.m., yet I often received assignments at 6:00 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. Once I even got an assignment at 5:30 p.m. (ten minutes from work). No big deal, I tried to sneak out a few minutes early, but maybe that's the reason for the "flexible" blocks.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by LRZ

I agree, Mark. But it's another manifestation of arbiter's hierarchy, where officials are an afterthought, a necessary evil. Want to set travel limits? Only if the assigner permits. Want to block partners, schools or teams? Only if the assigner permits. Want to see your evaluations? Only if the assigner permits.

As an assigner, I not only give my officials access to the blocks and travel limit sections, but I feel all assigners should do this. Each official should be allowed to have full access to Arbiters blocks sections. It makes the assigners jobs easier for crying out loud.

I do not use the evaluation tools within Arbiter at all, so I don't give my officials access to a blank page. If I have an issue arise with the official or with the school I use email to document the situation and have a record of the interaction (thankfully I have only had a few issues in my years as an assigner).

As for the ides of blocks, over riding blocks and making changes. I always assume if there is a block for an official of mine, it is a firm block. If I absolutely need an official who has a block for that contest I will email the official and ask if I can assign them to an event and override the block.

My biggest pet peeve is when assigners just decide to change an assignment without contacting the official about it. I may have planned some other aspect of my life around a specific assignment and location (dinner with friends, date, other work). When an assigned just decides to change my assignment at the last minute without asking I find that disrespectful of my time as an official and have told several assigners that to their face. If I need to move an official I will email the official and ask permission. If an assigner wants to move me I just ask that they give me that courtesy as well. Normally I am flexible with switching assignments, but I feel I should be asked first before I am just switched.

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

One thing that I want to get off my chest: A "block" means a "block"; adding a "firm block" is absolute nonsense.

Kind of reminds me of the scene from “A Few Good Men”, which I paraphrase:

Jo: I object.
Judge: Overruled.
Jo: Well then I strenuously object!





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk