I love picking up games!

[Publius]

You guys who like working would have really loved the old days, when you didn't have to depend on assigners to offer you games. You just went out and got what you wanted, where you wanted, when you wanted.

Ever since leagues went to assigners, my work has been cut by a third because I'm not willing to elevate last-minute games above the rest of life--what you guys call "being available." I never had to before, even though I worked a lot more, because I filled my schedule well in advance. My motto with assigners is, "If you wanted me to work that game, you should have offered it to me in the first place."

Because the majority of officials were too lazy to work to get better and/or fill a schedule on their own, leagues got frustrated and made officials join associations, with mandated training and game assigners. It raised the bottom, but it ruined things for many ambitious--both at getting better, and getting games--individuals who didn't just sit around waiting for teams to call them.

Revenues are driven down and expenses are up since individual initiative was relegated to the scrap heap. I live in an urban area with dozens of schools within 25 miles, and scores more within 50. I NEVER went outside the 25 mile radius of my house before assigners decided "You need to take your turns working the longer-distance games like everybody else--if you want to get games from me."

Entire training sessions are now themed around "How to get more and better games by sucking up to the assigner and asking 'How high?' whenever he says 'Jump!" " They don't call it that, but that's what it is.

Assigners add considerable value for the teams and leagues that need officials, and for officials who aren't bright enough to recognize that most of a successful officiating career takes place off the court or field. For officials with ambition, assigners add nothing and take a lot away. They're a pox.