I bet guys who live near the border of another state belong to the other state associations. Or, if they don't, they will.

I'm confused. You were going to cross?

You planning on scabbing, huh? Make sure nobody is able to hang you up by your belt, then.

My question also. Why would any referee undermine the attempt to get better compensation when the pay is ranked 50 out of 50? :confused: Do you feel that you and other referees are currently being compensated fairly? :rolleyes:

Give him a break. Maybe he just likes to call out of his area.

There could be other factors involved....unfortunately. If his association is directing him to go somewhere, he might not have much choice but to go, other than making up an excuse to decline the games.

That's the problem when you get into situations like this and different officiating associations in a state with maybe different viewpoints are involved. Hopefully every official in each association was allowed their say and the majority rules, but there's a real world out there also.

Imo it's a no-brainer. If they don't do something, they'll be working for $36 a freaking game ten years from now. And also imo, unless they do do something about it, they really have no right to b!tch.

Which is why I asked.

I know. I was just looking for an excuse to get in a cheap belt joke. :D

Holy CRAP that's funny.

But, his belt might be expensive...

I kinda picture JAR wearing a belt with a buckle about the size of a hubcap off a Ford F150 pick-up.

Hell, if they're still using mid-80's 3-man mechanics, of course they'll still be wearing belts.:)

You forgot belts. How could you forget the belts? :D

With wind suit pants?

On a smaller scale there is an AAU outfit in northern suburbs of Chicago, Joy of the Game that has their own facility, four courts, workout area etc. It's well attended with instruction, AAU teams, and constant tournaments all year round. The owner is notoriously cheap, paying 25 a game which is low for our area and really has no respect for officials. On occassion if you had a four game set and third was cancelled yet you had to hang around for fourth game, he'd try and weasel out of paying for that game despite already receiving tourney fees from teams. They have now gone to paying 22.50 a game. Sadly, there are officials who will drive a long way to take the games. As you can imagine, the officiating is poor, and when they and try and slip in a stop clock tourney to attract more teams, this typically adds at least an hour extra to a four game set, no extra pay.

I always felt slimy when taking games there, and only would if I had nothing better to do. Glad they lowered fees as they'll never hear my whistle there again.

That said, it's basic economics, some guys will work for that.

Have some pride.