The 3 versus 2 fallacies, a mini-rant

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ajjl22

Rich-

I don't think three man is mandated in Illinois during the regular season, but is commonplace in northern illinois. I coach at Alden-Hebron HS and we only use 2 for Varsity games (we are working to get the AD to pay for a third). I believe that not having three officials consistently because when we get to regionals the game is called differently then our players are used to.

I only work games in northern IL, so your perspective is a good one. Thanks.

Is the game called differently? That's something I wouldn't mind discussing at some point. I know we don't call more fouls, but we call more off-ball fouls and pass on some we'd probably be guessing at a bit more with 2-person.

[blindzebra]

Here in AZ we have been doing many of the Boys holiday tournaments 3 person. Our officials advisory board is pushing for it, so maybe we are making some head-way.

[tomegun]

In Maryland it is normally one game a night. The area is divided up by counties (PG, Montgomery, Howard, etc.) PG county is three-man for varsity games and Montgomery county isn't. The Catholic leagues use three-man. The pay is normally $60 a game.

Down here in the great state of Mississippi, all varsity games are three-man and we have to do double-headers. The pay is...$60 for a double-header! I have come close to doing as many high school games this season as I did all of last season and January is going to be the busiest month! Fortunately, there are several opportunities for college nearby and I will be hitting the camps to expand in that area. I don't like doing two games and doing more college will solve that problem even though I can't complain about my college schedule this year since I'm new.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by tomegun

In Maryland it is normally one game a night. The area is divided up by counties (PG, Montgomery, Howard, etc.) PG county is three-man for varsity games and Montgomery county isn't. The Catholic leagues use three-man. The pay is normally $60 a game.

Down here in the great state of Mississippi, all varsity games are three-man and we have to do double-headers. The pay is...$60 for a double-header! I have come close to doing as many high school games this season as I did all of last season and January is going to be the busiest month! Fortunately, there are several opportunities for college nearby and I will be hitting the camps to expand in that area. I don't like doing two games and doing more college will solve that problem even though I can't complain about my college schedule this year since I'm new.

I worked two games a night when I lived in Tennessee and I have to admit, I like working one much better. It was hard to see the girls varsity game as anything but a preliminary game. You knew you'd have to run your backside off during the boys game (it was all 2-person back then).

In 1994 the pay in TN was $60 for a GV/BV DH.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by tomegun

In Maryland it is normally one game a night. The area is divided up by counties (PG, Montgomery, Howard, etc.) PG county is three-man for varsity games and Montgomery county isn't. The Catholic leagues use three-man. The pay is normally $60 a game.

Down here in the great state of Mississippi, all varsity games are three-man and we have to do double-headers. The pay is...$60 for a double-header! I have come close to doing as many high school games this season as I did all of last season and January is going to be the busiest month! Fortunately, there are several opportunities for college nearby and I will be hitting the camps to expand in that area. I don't like doing two games and doing more college will solve that problem even though I can't complain about my college schedule this year since I'm new.

I had the opposite experience with games available and with pay. The pay per game here is a bit higher than it was in Des Moines, but there aren't nearly as many games available. In DM, the big schools have Frosh, Soph, JV, and varsity for boys and girls. Most freshman have A and B teams. Here, the "big" schools have freshman (one team), JV, and Varsity. AAU is limited, and there is no YMCA. I had bigger crowds in some MS AAU games in DM than I see for some varsity games here. My first varsity game in Iowa was a small school outside DM, and it was packed (visitors brought quite a few). Here, the small school varsity game had plenty of seating left, and the visitors brought a couple dozen people at most. I'm lucky to get two games a week on average.

Basketball just isn't that big a deal here, not like in the midwest.

[dblref]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

This is the way NV did it. We currently receive $49.50 per official on a 3-person varsity game.


Edit: Sorry, I was off by 50 cents in our game fee.

We get $55 per official for 3-person in northern VA. We work 3-person on all varsity games.

[Mregor]

Originally Posted by imaref

Also.....I am aware of an assignor who places emphasis on his three-crew assignments placing some priority to "officials who attend his camp." How many leagues/commissioners use "Pay-to-Play" philosophy/criteria to assign their officials? Is this right at the high school level?

You must be referring to Ralph S. I've heard that's his modus operandi. I moved from the area 2 years ago but still keep in touch with friends, and from what I've heard, he probably won't be retained by the conference once their commitment is up. He's not fielding top crews.

Mregor