Pecking order

[zebraman]

I think grunewar is having a similar experience to what mine has been.

Although it sometimes seems as if I just started, I am now one of the more senior officials in our group (14 years). I moved up steadily in the rankings from when I first started and have been fortunate enough to be in that "top group" for a while now.

On my way up, I encountered all kinds of higher-ranked officials. A few in the top who made sure I knew just how great they were and seemed intent on keeping others down. A few in the top who were great mentors and did what they could to help me along without any concern of whether or not I might someday be a direct peer. A few in the top who just did their own thing without getting involved with others at all. A few in the top who did whatever they thought made them look better in the eyes of others. They all serve a purpose.... you can see what works and what doesn't.

When I look at the handful of guys who started in the early 90's with me, I see some who have consistently worked hard and been consumate professionals. They have attended at least a few camps and use the off-season to improve rather than to develop bad habits (or do nothing). While there is some variance in "natural talent," most of those guys who work at it have climbed steadily.

Some of the others who started back then don't take it real serious and aren't too concerned about ratings. They work their games and don't complain about not getting a "top" schedule. Our assignor loves those guys - he says they "chew up innings."

Then there are a few who lace em' up in November and put em' away in March and can't figure out why the politics of our association holds them back.

I hope I am a good mentor now. If I see an official who is working hard and asking lots of questions, I will bend over backwards for them. One young official called me after last season and asked if he could work summer games with me. I had our assignor put him on my crew several times for summer leagues and tournaments and he worked with some other vets as well. He pestered me for info every game and added many tools to his game. His improvement was amazing. I am sure that he is on his way to becoming a top-rated official for us. Heck, he might pass me by in a few years and I am OK with that. I think being a top official is a privilege AND a responsibility. The responsibility is to make sure there are competent officials to take my place when I walk off the floor for the last time (many, many years away I hope).

If I see an official and I offer them some advice, I watch their reaction. If they want the info, I will continue to help them when I see them down the road. If they resist or make excuses, I won't waste my time with them anymore.