Customer Service ??????

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

So, no, I won't play the game. I'm still rated very well (just not in the stratosphere), but it's unlikely I'll get the call anytime soon. I'm only a 9th year umpire (with 15 years in other states and that doesn't count).

That sounds like an overall problem with your system. We have a ratings system to and I have never called, contacted or asked a coach to rate us other than when we have to give an ID number. And it has never hurt me once. In all three of my sports I have worked deep in the playoffs in all of them and never once had to ask for a rating or a Top 15 list selection from a school. Then again that rating system we use is only a small part of our overall system and selection. And I am sure I work at places where someone does not like the job I do or do not like the positions I take with them. I do not go around worrying about making them happy if I am doing my job properly. Also we should never be asked to do such things in the first place. Which at this time I do like our system because of that fact. But that does not mean that people do not try to get better ratings by doing what you said your friend does. Usually that does not work that well for most or what they appear to expect. And certainly do not all of a sudden work the State Finals as well.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

That sounds like an overall problem with your system. We have a ratings system to and I have never called, contacted or asked a coach to rate us other than when we have to give an ID number. And it has never hurt me once. In all three of my sports I have worked deep in the playoffs in all of them and never once had to ask for a rating or a Top 15 list selection from a school. Then again that rating system we use is only a small part of our overall system and selection. And I am sure I work at places where someone does not like the job I do or do not like the positions I take with them. I do not go around worrying about making them happy if I am doing my job properly. Also we should never be asked to do such things in the first place. Which at this time I do like our system because of that fact. But that does not mean that people do not try to get better ratings by doing what you said your friend does. Usually that does not work that well for most or what they appear to expect. And certainly do not all of a sudden work the State Finals as well.

Peace

I worked in the Illinois system for a while as I was licensed there in basketball from 2004-2008. I only worked 6-10 games there a season, usually during holiday tournaments, so I never got concerned with the details (knowing I'd never work enough games to get chosen for the postseason). But it does seem like a better, albeit much more complicated system.

We have 6 levels of official here. To be a Master (the top level) in baseball, you only have to work 8 varsity contests in an entire season. I have 8-game WEEKS. We have people assigned deep into the playoffs that work mainly FR and JV games all season long. In basketball, you only need 16 varsity contests to be a master. A female official working only girls games only needs 8. To be a "master" official.

Last season, I was not assigned a regional final, but picked one up when an umpire got injured. My partner that day was a guy that drove almost 2 hours to the game and when I got there told me he had never worked a Division 1 (big school) varsity game. He had only worked 4 varsity games all season. He was rated by 3 coaches and once the high and low were dropped off (as they do here), he was rated a 5 out of 6 and was considered a "highly rated umpire."

Needless to say, the first thing I said to him was, "I'll work the plate." He had one call on the bases and missed it. He was constantly out of position, but he knew what time it was cause he was wearing a wristwatch on the field. Nice guy, but awful umpire.

I used to judge my worth as an official by things like "post-season assignments" but I'm finally learning that as long as I live here I'll need to find some other measuring stick. Fortunately, I have no shortage of good regular season games to work.

[Camron Rust]

We've got a few officials around here that work the coaches in a similar manner. One got sanctioned a couple of years ago too. Our coaches have a partial say in who goes to the tourney and there are a few who are not afraid to either throw their partners under the bus or otherwise cozy up to the coaches for a few more coaches votes.

[tref]

Originally Posted by bainsey

This has more to do with interpersonal relations, and effectively dealing with people who question what you do. In many fields, those with better interpersonal relations (often times, "working the system") tend to be more successful.

When it comes time for those in power to decide who gets what assignments, those that appear to serve better will typically get the nod. It may not be fair in some minds, but few things are in the business world. And when we want those assignments, we are looking to do business.

I agree with all of the above, guess I'm just blessed to be in a area where coaches dont call the shots.

If, in the assignors opinion (regular season), combined opinions of peer/coach/area director/assignor (post-season) & the executive boards opinion (State) you can work, communicate effectively & take care of business on & off the court, you will work. PERIOD.

My point was, coaches who lost a heated game that you worked arent qualified to critique us... they have a dog in the race & are obviously biased.

Working the system is not a bad thing. Some may say I have done just that to get where I am in a short amount of time. But my working of the system does not consist of calls to coaches, brown-nosing the bosses or the like.

Hard work, having the right people in your corner, being a go-getter & positive self-marketing strategies gets it done!!

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

We've got a few officials around here that work the coaches in a similar manner. One got sanctioned a couple of years ago too. Our coaches have a partial say in who goes to the tourney and there are a few who are not afraid to either throw their partners under the bus or otherwise cozy up to the coaches for a few more coaches votes.

I've seen those-types as well, but if the talent is not there, that harsh fall that is certain to occur is much quicker than their unrespectable rise to the top.