Just a Word of Caution...

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

I would never work for $12.50 a game now and many people I know would not dare assign anyone for that amount. If I found out that was the pay I would stay home or never work that league again for that pay. I just had this conversation with an assignor last Sunday that said he would not dare assign a tournament/league for that $17 and advised his officials if they knew any better they would not accept that kind of fee. And his comment to the person that wanted him to assign officials to a particular tournament was, “I do not have $17 referees to assign games to.” And he was not saying he would not assign someone if they worked for that amount in the future, just saying we are worth more and he would suggest you not lower your value when you consider all the other people that are involved in getting paid for these tournaments and leagues. I do not know any JH games that are assigned for less than $30 (and that would be low) during the regular season. Actually in many cases here they have to pay almost more than a HS game just to get guys to consider working that level. I am not talking about summer league, running clock games either before you start talking about that angle of this situation.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

You have to take a stand to get dressed? First of all I would not show up in my uniform or any part of my outside uniform on, so you better have some place to get dressed unless you do not mind me getting dressed in front of everyone. So they would have to provide some place for me if they do not want to have such a report complaining about how and where I get dressed.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

Let us keep a couple of things in mind. This thread started about a bunch of officials that were getting dressed in the parking lot and in places that might were by the schools considered inappropriate. The law is not going to care why you are naked; they are just going to charge you with a possible crime, ticket or violation of some local ordinance regardless of the reason why. And all any of us need is the right kid, parent or school administrator to say we did something sexually inappropriate and what do you think will happen to us when that charge is made? So either they find us a place to get dressed as everyone is not coming from home or a place where they can just have their uniform on all day, you need a place to put your stuff so you are not exposed to everyone and have some privacy, even if for no other reason to have a pre-game and a place to talk about officiating without being overheard or things you say being taken out of context. This is really more than about getting dressed, this is about the things we do are much more scrutinized then the average public.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

I am an independent contractor, I can work where and under whatever circumstances I wish. I do it all the time. It is clear to me that when I read this board many of you are not in that situation. You have no rights to refuse games or to decide where you want to work and when. I do and many other places do as well and I would not work leagues that expected me to be in full uniform but would not give us a locker room, coaches office or somewhere private to keep our stuff or pretty much guarantee that some young girl is authorized to walk in on a bunch of grown men that have no clothes on (this happen to me with other officials and I can tell you it did not go over very well with the assignor). If you want to be an employee and they are not paying your taxes or workmans comp, be my guest.

Peace

[Adam]

I was't clear. I'm an indepedent contractor, and I can turn down any games I want to. That said, our assigning system is different here than yours. My metro area high school games all have the same assigner (from 1A to 5A), and the middle schools have three assigners who are all tight with the hs assigner. It's a visibility thing.

In the old area, I worked one season of ms ball at that rate; my first season in town. One JV game paid the same as three ms games, not worth it. I didn't make a big deal, I just didn't make myself available to the ms assigner. I figured the only way it would change was if guys like me refused to work.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I was't clear. I'm an indepedent contractor, and I can turn down any games I want to. That said, our assigning system is different here than yours. My metro area high school games all have the same assigner (from 1A to 5A), and the middle schools have three assigners who are all tight with the hs assigner. It's a visibility thing.

What does that have to do with you showing up to a game in uniform? I do not understand what that has to do with the assignor unless the assignor says that is the standard. And I have not heard anything that suggests anything different than what I have said originally.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

In the old area, I worked one season of ms ball at that rate; my first season in town. One JV game paid the same as three ms games, not worth it. I didn't make a big deal, I just didn't make myself available to the ms assigner. I figured the only way it would change was if guys like me refused to work.

You cannot do the same in the new area? Because if you can't then how are you in independent contractor? How can someone make you work anything or make you show up in uniform or else?

I think you are missing my point if you think this is making demands. I simply said what I am going to do and that is not show up to a game in uniform. Now if they want me to work the game, they are obviously going to have to provide some situation. It is not their business to demand why I am in uniform or not. Or do not complain like the email suggested.

Peace

[Adam]

To answer your first point. Had I needed the exposure of working middle school games, the lack of a dressing room wouldn't have deterred me. Further, insisting on a dressing room when the association, for whatever reason, had been unable to negotiate it, would have been a quick path to nowhere. I made a choice to show up in uniform because I didn't like the option of dressing in the public restroom stall. I had a bigger issue with not having a place to retreat at half time, but even then, the real issue was the pay check.

Yes, I could do it here. But again, if a newer official has to choose between visibility/improvement and insisting on a dressing room, he's better off caving on the dressing room issue.

Further, and this is really my main point; just because it's seen as unprofessional in your neck of the woods really doesn't mean jack squat in mine (or the OP's, unless he works in your area). Hence, "check local listings."

[JRutledge]

If I cannot talk about professionalism, then no one better not ever talk about mechanics, uniforms or how we communicate with coaches. All those things are subjected to standards that vary and philosophy. And all my professionalism standards has little to do with where I live. I feel things should be done a certain way for this thing we call officiating regardless of where it takes place. I am not going dressed to a game. Not everyone comes from a place they can change before they get to any game. It sounds like you are putting a local standard on my opinion as well.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

If I cannot talk about professionalism, then no one better not ever talk about mechanics, uniforms or how we communicate with coaches. All those things are subjected to standards that vary and philosophy. And all my professionalism standards has little to do with where I live. I feel things should be done a certain way for this thing we call officiating regardless of where it takes place. I am not going dressed to a game. Not everyone comes from a place they can change before they get to any game. It sounds like you are putting a local standard on my opinion as well.

Peace

I'm not the one who claimed my opinion doesn't depend on locality.

[RookieDude]

I like doing MS games...(Well a few anyway)

* Gets me "in the mood" for the upcoming HS season.

* I get to see some of the up and coming rookies.

* I get to do a little instructing, mentoring, etc.

* My assignor likes it.

* Oh yeah...we are paid $38 dollars per game...and do two consecutive games. 2 person

P.S. Just so you know I don't do it strickley for the money...I'll sometimes show up and do 3 person mechanics for free. (once or twice a year)
We do all HS games 3 person.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I'm not the one who claimed my opinion doesn't depend on locality.

I said what I was going to do first and foremost. You tried to claim that I said I would not work the game, which is not exactly what I said. I actually said if that was the norm then I would not accept games at that level.

If an official does not come dressed to a game (e.g. job situations) and they want the official to work the game and not leave, they better provide somewhere for them to get dressed or they do not have the right to complain like this email suggested. And yes I have the courage to either complain or to change that policy for the reasons I stated.

Peace