Has anyone attempted to start an Assoc.

[ShadowStripes]

Good advice Nevada. REFVA, be very careful about undercutting your association. They will never assign you games again if you pull a stunt like that. I'm willing to bet that if the summer league is as large as you say it is and the dominant association isn't working the games, it is because of a contract dispute with pay rather than the number of officials available. I'm also willing to bet your treading on thin ice with this.

This kind of stuff does officials (who are for the most part grossly underpaid for the kind of crap we put up with in summer leagues) a disservice. By working independent of the association and picking up a few gyms, you allow the leagues to divide and conquer officials by keeping fees at at an unreasonably low level. It's a free market and you're well within your rights to do it, but don't get upset if you get fingered (and you will) and shut out by your association.

[REFVA]

Believe me I'm not under cutting anyone. The rate is par to league play. When I approached the association who is doing the major game, they told me what the contract rate was based I already new my rate. They told me out right, they don't have enough officials due to camps, vacations, other sports etc. Plus they are not my home base association. They want me to become an official in their association as well as my group. But dues and 10% does not make it worth for any of the officials. Since we have to do some travel to NO. VA.

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by REFVA

They told me out right, they don't have enough officials due to camps, vacations, other sports etc. Plus they are not my home base association. They want me to become an official in their association as well as my group. But dues and 10% does not make it worth for any of the officials. Since we have to do some travel to NO. VA.

Competition is great. Except if you are the group that has the "lock" and now some upstart wants to cut in on your turf. With better service. Better officials. Maybe even lower fees.

The situation in your area is nothing like in mine. The associations (for the most part) do the recruiting and training of new officials and continuing education for the rest of us. They have nothing to do with assigning -- although it sure helps if the key assignors also are members of your association.

I read with interest the inner workings of assigning in this region. If these exisiting associations are able to keep such a tight leash on both officials and organizations and keep competitors out (presumably by refusing to assign games to officials who work for these "renegade" outfits), then you have a lot more to worry about than insurance and fees.