How many

JerryLundagard · #1 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 19, 2008, 11:00pm

Saw Steve Welmer working his 111th game tonight, wow.

It got me to thinking what is the right number of games for an official to work. I worked about 60 games this year and in retrospect it was too many. I probably should cut back next year but that is easier said than done.

My question is how many games or dates do people on this board work and how do they determine the "right" number for them.

Adam · #2 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 19, 2008, 11:16pm

My wife makes that determination.

Back In The Saddle · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 19, 2008, 11:22pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryLundagard

Saw Steve Welmer working his 111th game tonight, wow.

It got me to thinking what is the right number of games for an official to work. I worked about 60 games this year and in retrospect it was too many. I probably should cut back next year but that is easier said than done.

My question is how many games or dates do people on this board work and how do they determine the "right" number for them.

I'll do about 120 games this year probably, between HS season, rec leagues, church leagues, AAU, camps, and other opportunites. And about the time I hit game number 100, I start to feel the need to hike my pants up at every opportunity. That's how I can tell I'm working the right number of games

Seriously, there have been years that I have worked fewer, and it's been too many. This year it feels right. I can tell when it's starting to be too much by my attitude. If I cringe when I remember that I have a game, it's too many. If I start watching the clock, wishing it would run faster, that's a warning sign. If I start to frequently lose focus during games, that's another warning sign.

Oh, and if I come home at the end of the night and my wife, my kids, and the furniture is gone...that's her way of telling me it's too many

Adam · #4 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 19, 2008, 11:34pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

Oh, and if I come home at the end of the night and my wife, my kids, and the furniture is gone...that's her way of telling me it's too many

And how many times has that happened?

Back In The Saddle · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 19, 2008, 11:37pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

And how many times has that happened?

How many times total? Or how many times did I notice right away?

Adam · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 19, 2008, 11:37pm

just another ref · #7 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 19, 2008, 11:50pm

I don't know exactly how many games, but I worked 52 or 53 nights this season, at least 2 games a night, a few 3 game nights and a few 4's.

fullor30 · #8 (**permalink**) Thu Mar 20, 2008, 09:33am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I'll do about 120 games this year probably, between HS season, rec leagues, church leagues, AAU, camps, and other opportunites. And about the time I hit game number 100, I start to feel the need to hike my pants up at every opportunity. That's how I can tell I'm working the right number of games

Seriously, there have been years that I have worked fewer, and it's been too many. This year it feels right. I can tell when it's starting to be too much by my attitude. If I cringe when I remember that I have a game, it's too many. If I start watching the clock, wishing it would run faster, that's a warning sign. If I start to frequently lose focus during games, that's another warning sign.

Oh, and if I come home at the end of the night and my wife, my kids, and the furniture is gone...that's her way of telling me it's too many

Just added up Feb. and I did 70 games ranging from varsity boys, girls, state tourney, men's leagues, feeder, AAU, special olympics, grammar school and park district. I'll probably do around 250 for a year. Sad to see the season wind down. In years past, I'd sometimes be clock watching....not this year.

CLH · #9 (**permalink**) Thu Mar 20, 2008, 03:09pm

I just figured my schedule, I worked 60 Varsity Games, 9 College, 3 Post Season...not including the Jr, high and JV I worked.

Mark Padgett · #10 (**permalink**) Thu Mar 20, 2008, 03:23pm

208 for me, which is kind of low, actually, compared to past seasons. I have averaged about 240 - 260 for the past 10 seasons or so. Of course, my first year with Dr. Naismith, I worked only 10 games because that's all that took place. BTW - Jimbo (that's what I called him) needed a lot of help with his mechanics.

JugglingReferee · #11 (**permalink**) Thu Mar 20, 2008, 03:27pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

208 for me, which is kind of low, actually, compared to past seasons. I have averaged about 240 - 260 for the past 10 seasons or so. Of course, my first year with Dr. Naismith, I worked only 10 games because that's all that took place. BTW - Jimbo (that's what I called him) needed a lot of help with his mechanics.

When did JR come into the mix?

bob jenkins · #12 (**permalink**) Thu Mar 20, 2008, 08:16am

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryLundagard

It got me to thinking what is the right number of games for an official to work.

There's no "right number." If you're still having fun and still giving a good physical and mental effort, then it's not "too many." If you're still staying sharp, then it's not "too few."

I worked about 100 HS varsity and college games this season.