Should new refs have a identifier?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Agree. Here in our little corner of the Land of Steady Habits, rookie officials already have an identifier, they don't have an IAABO patch. Coaches, and fans, can, and do, pick up on this. They're not as dumb as we say they are.

This is true; my first year in IAABO, I was patched but working a game without a patch (my true rookie partner had his patch on). One of the fans, right before half time, "go back to school and get your patch!" I really wished I had a patched shirt in my suitcase to switch, just for effect.