Just a Word of Caution...

[stiffler3492]

FWIW, all the middle school games I have, I go dressed to. I'm never sure there is somewhere to change. That seems to be the norm in my area, as every partner I've had has come dressed, unless he's running in straight from work or something like that.

[IowaMike]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

FWIW, all the middle school games I have, I go dressed to. I'm never sure there is somewhere to change. That seems to be the norm in my area, as every partner I've had has come dressed, unless he's running in straight from work or something like that.

That's the norm in my area too; I usually go dressed to JH games, just change shoes once I get there. I've never had the need to change in the parking lot for a basketball game though; they always give us someplace to change even if it's just an empty classroom.

I can tell you as a baseball umpire that changing in the parking lot is standard operating procedure for umpires. There is virtually never anyplace private to change. Coming to the game dressed isn't a solution either because all high school games in Iowa are doubleheaders. I guarantee you I'm not wearing the same clothes I just worked a plate game in 95 degree heat in for the second game in the field. I always do my best to park away from people and be discreet, but sometimes it's tough. That's not the umpire's fault; if the schools don't want us changing in the lot they need to provide a place to change.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

FWIW, all the middle school games I have, I go dressed to. I'm never sure there is somewhere to change. That seems to be the norm in my area, as every partner I've had has come dressed, unless he's running in straight from work or something like that.

Well it might be the norm, but I bet it is not expected by the assignor. I say that because a lot of guys that work those games, are working those games for a reason and their professionalism is one of those reasons. I would never come dressed to a game for so many reasons I have talked about before. They better put me in some office somewhere or I am not working the game. I am not coming out of the rain, snow or wind in my black pants that just got dirty from the outside elements. That is just not going to happen.

[Adam]

Jeff, I can tell you there are some middle school assigners who go to their games dressed. That said. The OP seems like a great time to press the schools for a dressing room.

[IowaMike]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well it might be the norm, but I bet it is not expected by the assignor. I say that because a lot of guys that work those games, are working those games for a reason and their professionalism is one of those reasons. I would never come dressed to a game for so many reasons I have talked about before. They better put me in some office somewhere or I am not working the game. I am not coming out of the rain, snow or wind in my black pants that just got dirty from the outside elements. That is just not going to happen.

So if you work JH games you're unprofessional? I work as many varsity games as I care to and I still work a small number of JH games. Why? Because they usually play on nights when varsity games aren't being played, they're easy, close to home, I'm home in time for dinner, and I get an opportunity to work with newer, less experienced officials and help them get better. Nobody around here cares if an official comes dressed to a JH game; they're just glad a competent official was willing to do it.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by IowaMike

I work as many varsity games as I care to and I still work a small number of JH games. Why? Because they usually play on nights when varsity games aren't being played, they're easy, close to home, I'm home in time for dinner, and I get an opportunity to work with newer, less experienced officials and help them get better.

Agree.

When I get to be too old and decrepit to work high school varsity games, I hope that I'm still healthy enough to work high school freshman, and middle school games. I retire from my day job in seven years, and there are a lot of 4:00 p.m. freshman games, and 3:30 p.m. middle school games, that need to be covered.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by IowaMike

So if you work JH games you're unprofessional? I work as many varsity games as I care to and I still work a small number of JH games. Why? Because they usually play on nights when varsity games aren't being played, they're easy, close to home, I'm home in time for dinner, and I get an opportunity to work with newer, less experienced officials and help them get better. Nobody around here cares if an official comes dressed to a JH game; they're just glad a competent official was willing to do it.

The reason you do not go to a game in a uniform, is the people that see you come in the court in your cloths think two things. They think you are coming from a game or you are about to go to another when you leave. Not everyone that goes and watches a game is knows all the situations in which you took the game and the first impression you give them is the one might make more decisions about you. I know officials that could not work other levels because of the professionalism they displayed when someone of significant saw them. At a JH or Middle school game, someone's kids are playing and if the right person's kids are playing or grandchildren, they might not give you a shot if they think you are not professional.

Just because everyone else does it is not a good excuse IMO. They better give me a room somewhere or I am not working. This is a choice.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The reason you do not go to a game in a uniform, is the people that see you come in the court in your cloths think two things. They think you are coming from a game or you are about to go to another when you leave. Not everyone that goes and watches a game is knows all the situations in which you took the game and the first impression you give them is the one might make more decisions about you. I know officials that could not work other levels because of the professionalism they displayed when someone of significant saw them. At a JH or Middle school game, someone's kids are playing and if the right person's kids are playing or grandchildren, they might not give you a shot if they think you are not professional.

Just because everyone else does it is not a good excuse IMO. They better give me a room somewhere or I am not working. This is a choice.

Peace

And as always, check local listings.

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

And as always, check local listings.

Agreed...I can't think of anyone around these parts that DON'T go to a middle school game already dressed in their uniform. In twenty + years of officiating I've NEVER seen anyone come to a middle school and ask for a changing room. Heck, our assignor is just glad to have experienced officials willing to do the games. I do, however, have my "middle school" ref shoes...usually last years H.S. model...and even wear them into the gym from outside. gasp!

...now H.S. games are a whole different story.

Business casual...shower after game!

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

Agreed...I can't think of anyone around these parts that DON'T go to a middle school game already dressed in their uniform. In twenty + years of officiating I've NEVER seen anyone come to a middle school and ask for a changing room. Heck, our assignor is just glad to have experienced officials willing to do the games. I do, however, have my "middle school" ref shoes...usually last years H.S. model...and even wear them into the gym from outside. gasp!

...now H.S. games are a whole different story.

Business casual...shower after game!

Like I originally posted earlier (then deleted), if doing JH games here, if the game is played at the HS you have the option of the official's locker room, at least for the next year or two. At the elementary school there are staff/adult restrooms nearby that could be used for changing.

It's my understanding looking at the JH schedule, that a few of the games will be played at the high schools, so hopefully the AD (or school representative) gives the option of using the official's locker room.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

And as always, check local listings.

You can have personal standards that do not apply to everyone. Just because there might be people in my area that show up wearing jeans, does not mean we have to do the same.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

You can have personal standards that do not apply to everyone. Just because there might be people in my area that show up wearing jeans, does not mean we have to do the same.

Peace

I'm not talking about personal standards; this statement essentially sums up the part to which I was responding:

Originally Posted by JRutledge

They better give me a room somewhere or I am not working. This is a choice.

There are some areas where if an official makes this "choice," he will be labeled high maintenance and a prima donna (sp?). Some places, you just show up and work if you want to move beyond that level.

I've worked in such an area. I eventually stopped working ms games, but it was because they paid $12.50 per game and it wasn't worth getting off work early to work three hours on a tartan floor for that rate. I just wore separate shoes, set my bag behind the scorer, and took care of the game.

Here, I'll be doing ms games for the first time in five years (schedule change), and I don't yet know how the dressing room situation looks. I imagine its closer to the high schools' situation (there's always a coach's office at least), but if it's not, I won't be doing myself any favors by taking a principled stand on this issue.

My point was, your standards may work well for you, and there are some issues where I think every official could benefit by performing and appearing above standard. For example, if the other officials at your level and shining their shoes, do it anyway. If the other officials at a level aren't all clean shaven, do it anyway. If they're all showing up in jeans or sweats; show up in business casual and stand out.

But refusing to work because you don't get a dressing room won't work for guys wanting to move up. It will only work for those who have already moved up and don't want to get stuck doing AAU and YMCA.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The reason you do not go to a game in a uniform, is the people that see you come in the court in your cloths think two things. They think you are coming from a game or you are about to go to another when you leave.

I think I speak for us all when I say:

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I think I speak for us all when I say:

I really do not care who you speak for as you noticed I never said people should do everything others do. Successful people do what unsuccessful people are unwilling to do. You ultimately represent yourself when you work games and your professionalism, not all of us.

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

They think you are coming from a game or you are about to go to another when you leave.

Why would they think this, unless you are obviously sweaty when you arrive?
And what if they did think this? It's unprofessional to work two places in one day? I have done this a few times, not lately. I assumed most of us had.