When Opportunity Knocks
 

I know the last thread on "should you cross the picket line?" morphed into a union battle of sorts, but I just wanted to share briefly how I have seen someone I know personally take advantage of this situation.

A local guy was part of the NFL replacement crew which recently officiated the Giants v. Cowboys game. While it's easy to bash the calls made (the regulars get bashed as well) many commentators felt like the game was a victory for the league and a defeat for the cause of the striking officials. Many knowledgeable sources said there really wasn't that big of a difference. Most of the guys on this crew had not even officiated a D1 game, and may never get that chance.

I guess all that to say I'm happy he got that chance. I have no idea what type of blacklisting or whatever could take place, but with the opportunity given I believe he's made the most out of it. He may never touch an NFL field again, but with national recognition it may be his ticket to doing SEC, PAC12, etc.

While I totally support standing up as a high school association if the schools are paying low wages it seems that the highest levels needed to be evaluated in a different light and by each individual.

Full disclosure: I live in a right to work state and have not been associated with a union in the past.

The officials are not striking but rather are being locked out.

Seems to me that the central issue of your story isn't about lockouts, strikes, scabs, etc., but about a quality official who hasn't been afforded an opportunity to prove himself for whatever reasons.
I think that it is sad that it took a situation like this to provide a deserving official a chance. That is the problem which needs to be addressed at the upper levels.

When I have moved up to the next level- there were many times the speed of the game, ect were difficult. Several of the games things went with out a hitch. But I remember my second or third Boys HS Varsity game I missed a coach calling a time out late in a tied game. The player heard the time out and took a deep 3 because he thought it was a dead ball. I have never missed a TO since but it may have cost that team a win.

My point is that when you are not ready and the entire crew are rookies- things can go smooth or fait can rear its ugly head.

Although I've only been in officiating for a few years (and only do basketball) it seems to me that the "opportunity to show yourself" is much harder in football than in basketball. There are fewer camps, there are fewer college teams, etc.

Locally, I've heard that unless you have 20 years of experience you will not touch a state playoff game, and most of the guys in the championship have 30 years. (this is coming from a friend who has had success in football and carries no bitterness toward the situation) I don't think it's a good ole' boys thing, since the assigner is well liked. He even runs the wings and works junior high games.. who does that? :eek:

All that to say I'm grateful for the chance to get out there and prove myself in basketball, so I don't think I'd cross the line, but if I was a football official it would be very tempting not to if the NFL was taking applications.

And we all know how that feals.

Move up to the PAC-12...a league ran by an NFL official...fat chance.

Truth is he didn't earn his spot on a NFL field...he stepped on his brothers for that spot intead.

I think "brothers" here is a little strong and probably unrealistic. We aren't one gigantic group of officials across the globe. Of course I'd sit at home for guys I know and have worked alongside, but to act like those guys in the NFL give a rip about any of us is something a Disney movie would have a hard time trying to make believable.

Each official has to assess their individual path/career/journey and decide if crossing the line is for them. I just don't think one size fits all.

Just my opinion. :)

I personally know a few NFL officials (3 are in one of my associations) and I would never go for some short glory to work a game at that level. For one it would be more personal than about them. I would always feel like I did not earn that spot and once it is over I will be thrown to the wolves. The NFL does not care about those guys either and have done them no favors by putting them in this situation. And if I am on the field when something silly happens like giving a 4th timeout, then that is what my career will be remembered for. And I also know several of the replacement officials as well, many will have no place to come back to. And not all are old guys that were already on their way out.

Peace

You should consider expanding your definition of brotherhood.

Just consider it.

Just saying.

A lot of us take the approach that we are the "third" team out on the field/court/diamond and our crew members are the only friends we have out there. So to step on them for short glory as JRut said is pretty damning to ones character.

The NFL officials from this area DO give a rip about us. They are always speaking at our clinics and staying involved in the chapter. That is one reason why I could not in good conscience work as a replacement.

The Final Word on the Subject . . . or Maybe Not
 

Could it be there is a stark distinction between:
"Seizing an Opportunity"
and
"Being an Opportunist"?

Couldn't agree more. We work in a profession that can be a difficult one to advance within. Every opportunity to do so, should be taken. Why not? We don't work as hard as we do to let big time opportunities come and go without action. I praise the replacement officials. And, I think they have done a great job, thus far. Good for them.

So you want an opportunity just to say, "I worked a single game in the......." even if it ruins the rest of your career?

Well if that is the case, then I will give back a varsity game between two teams at the lowest ranking in an area or state for the varsity game at the highest ranking. After all it is an opportunity right?

And if the replacement officials screwed up like they have in high school games, we would be questioning their ability at that level or if they work high school playoff games. If this happen in the NBA where a basic rule was totally missed or misapplied, we would be on here ripping them up and down.

Peace

There's a lot of time, effort, and sacrifice that NFL officials make to get to that level. No NFL official is going to be hired until he works quite a while in Division I. No officials get to Division I without putting in time at smaller college levels. No officials get there without putting time in at HS and lower levels.

The replacements have taken the ultimate shortcut. Why should that be praised?

Ultimate shortcut? I doubt it. I suspect most of them have been working just as long and just as hard as the one's they're replacing. They just didn't have the right connections at the right times to get the job or just missed the cut.

If you are a person whom has no realistic shot to move up the ladder to work D1 or higher, I understand why you would consider doing this. What a thrill it must be for these new officials. What do you have to lose.

If you have a realistic ambition to advance, this is the kiss of death.

I couldn't do it, as I have too much respect for my fellow officials. I accept where I'm at on the totem pole, and do the best I can with the games I've got.

I've worked HS and small college basketball, baseball, and football for over 25 years. Doesn't mean I'm good enough or belong there.

There are no D1 NCAA officials working as replacements, so it is not guys "who just missed the cut". And by the age of a lot of the replacements I've seen, there are not a lot of up-and-comers either.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but by-and-large it seems to be guys who have plateaued at the D2/D3 level.

I think there is a lot of grandstanding about how "they haven't earned it" or "put in the time" when we all know it takes are rare blend of special things happening to officiate at the highest level. Guys that we all know and respect have had great careers but haven't moved up and gone to the NFL/NBA/whatever. I'm not saying this because I'm buried and bitter, I've barely started my little "career".

I think that in many circumstances officials will hold the short end of the stick with pay to the schools, tournaments, etc. In that circumstance rally the troops and demand better wages. With the NFL guys the story is different. They have tons of money, a pension? :eek: , and other benefits they get and now more? They are asking for somebody to at least try to take their job. The NBA had to settle with the officials since the replacements blew it, but with the NFL has the difference really been that big of a deal? Nobody is going to put an asterisk by this season. Only the 24 hour news cycle keeps the talk going.

Locally, I wouldn't cross the line. At the professional level if it was going be my only shot, sure. Guys I respect have told me they would never cross the line. But, at some point in time you really don't have anything to lose.

Here's the thing. You wouldn't cross it locally, but you'd cross at the NFL level. Chances are, if you crossed for the NFL, you'd piss off some local guys who either are, were, or know some NFL officials. That could have some local consequences. Just keep that in mind next time Roger Goodell's number shows up on your cell phone.

I understand and respect that perspective.

While I don't personally know any of the replacement officials, it's probably not a stretch to say most of them are excellent officials at whatever level they were working previous to the NFL. What a great opportunity for them to learn, at the highest level, and take back with them an awesome experience when they eventually settle into their previous roles as college, etc, officials.

Maybe, just maybe, a few catch the eye of a decision-maker and thereby creates an opportunity to move up to the NFL ranks down the road.

I just don't see it. I see a bigger chance for those officials to be ostracized by the groups they go back to in some cases, especially if those groups have D-1 officials or NFL officials as part of their ranks.

We'll see.

Didn't a lot of the NBA replacements from a few years back ultimately make it onto the regular NBA roster?

This is why you are a rookie !!!!!!
 

Give yourself 20 years in the business, some maturity ( not saying you don't have any) watch the effort that people put into this game and your opinions will change !!!!!

Wherever you land in this game accept that fact and be the best you can be. Then you can make everygame your super bowl !!!!!

The NBA and NFL processes are quite different though.

The guys that I know were already told that this would not be a good idea for them. And the guys that crossed that had some college experience probably ruined that opportunity in the future. Not all of them, but certainly many of them. There were guys that were not regular college officials and if they come back I see many of them not even being used. And one of the reasons is they have been replaced already. They are not likely to come back this season as the schedules are set and slots are filled. And actually this situation also made live harder on the assignors as they had to scramble a few weeks out to fill their spots. And even the most high profile of these guys was a crew chief at the D3 level and I do not see him coming back in that role for sure. And none of the guys I know were not realistically to get a shot at D1, let alone the NFL. It would be different if they used D1 officials that worked in the major conferences. Now one guy could not work any college games because of his new job and took this as a chance. I can somewhat understand his position because after this his career might be over anyway. Otherwise most had something to lose when coming back. I guess there is always high school ball. ;)

Peace

Or maybe they just weren't good enough until the real NFL officials got locked out and all the good D1 officials didn't want to screw their brothers.

Or maybe some of them were previously thrown under the bus or was stepped on by one of those NFL officials in the past and they have no reason to have any loyalty to them.

Everyone wants to act like there is a sweet brotherhood among officials. All you have to do is open your eyes to know that is hardly true. There are certainly great people out there and I'd be loyal to them without hesitation but there are as many snakes in the grass as there are good guys. I can't count the number of times I've witnessed disgusting backstabbing and two-faced deceit form officials. I have direct knowledge of some cases of outright shameful behavior form people that have fooled many into thinking they're a saint....they just hide it well but I've caught them in their lies.

I'm just not going to be blindly loyal to an entire group of officials when there will be as many of them that would as soon step all over you.

All of this handwringing and talk about 'not crossing the line' is ridiculous. Last I thought, we lived in a capitalist country. To me that means that anyone is expendable, and anyone is replaceable when it comes to a free market position. At the same time, there will always be someone there to fill any and all vacancies. And those that do are not doing anything illegal or immoral. Does anyone really think that this doesn't hold true for the officials in the NFL?

They are not the risk takers in this business/league and therefore they do not carry enough weight to push their demands. It is not that simple? Now maybe if the attendance around the league declines immensely and is deemed in direct correlation to the replacement officals, then maybe they have more weight. However, that is not going to happen.......

They are not being asked to take huge paycuts. One change and objection is moving to a 401k plan verses a pension plan. Really???? Do not the majority of us live with a 401k plan?

Are these guys officiating for the love of the game or something else? Are we being asked to think that the league is truly attempting to 'railroad' them? The games WILL go on with or without them, that has already been proven. The officials working the games will only get better. It now boils down to whether the Big Boys want to continue to be a part of it or not.

Being a capitalist country goes both ways. Someone can also fire you or not hire you based on your actions. So if these guys work or hope to work for college supervisors who side with the NFLRA then then they may not have jobs or opportunities waiting for them when they are done working games for the NFL. They also can be easily replaced.


Not sure what this has to do with anything.

They are also asking them to be full time, which means that if they have jobs already, they probably cannot work those jobs or businesses anymore. Then if they are to be fired on a whim, then they are a$$ out.

Yes the games will go on and they have, but they are one bad call away from a lot more complaining than there already has been. It is one thing if the next in line took the jobs, it is another that many were not even college level officials.

Peace

I think the use of the replacements will help the regulars in their negotiations barring a major improvement in the job thats being done by the current replacements.

If the NFL is not satisfied with the replacements performance, the regulars should be able to name their price. If they are satisfied...well the regulars will need to offer up something fast that they can stomach,take things to court, or look into other means of employment.

I don't think this is relevant at the higher levels. I officiate HS football for the love of the game. That $60 (cut down by at least $30 once I pay for dinner and gas) isn't a life-changer. My $150 on Saturdays takes anywhere from 8-16 hours to earn. Again, not a life-changer for anyone.

$4500/game is a couple of mortgage payments. It's college tuition. That's $18000/month during the season. This is a second job for most NFL officials, not just something they do because it's fun.

The comment above is a good one -- many people want NFL guys to be full-time. The NFL wants this to a certain degree for a number of their officials. They also want to be able to fire these guys or put them on the bench pretty easily if someone judges they performed poorly. If I was an NFL official, I'm not sure I'd respond well to that, either.

Great. So they are doing it for the money. Fair enough. All of these years they have had their cake and have eaten it too by having regular jobs and doing this on the side. Granted, it's been a great gig for them.

Well, maybe those days are over and the league wants a bigger committment from the officials. Just with any other business, things change. Either get on board or find something else to do. It's called the Real World.....

You are right, no sacrifice. No missing family events or maybe even games. No strain on marriages or missing job situations that would be difficult. It is a great gig, but it is a gig still. So when you have other income and probably could make other income at your job or be with your family all weekend, they are in another city talking football then working football. And now they have a game every week on Thursday so now in the middle of the week officials will have to leave a job or leave their family potentially. All I know is I have a game Friday and Saturday and I will make barely $200 for the two days and most will be eaten up by gas. And I am not getting paid by a multi-billion dollar industry to spend that time away from a family that I would have to work football. And I will be home at the end of the night. An NFL official might be on a plane than home very late depending on the time their game is played.

That is fine than pay them for their further commitment. That is also the real world or you will get only young guys like MLB does to replace the guys in that sport. And they never get rid of those guys. ;)

Peace

I could be wrong, but I think every NFL official signs up for the job and knows full well what they are getting into. You make it sound like someone is holding a gun to their heads making them do it, and for little reward nonetheless. Give me a break. If they don't want to deal with the things you mentioned above, guess what, it's a free country. They can quit anytime and find another profession. Normal people do it every day!

You make it seem like the officials are doing something un-American by negotiating for the best deal possible. Or do negotiations only go one way in your world?

Well they do not just sign up, they get asked. And when you put what they were doing in context and mostly D1 officials are the ones that become NFL officials, they are not only getting a bigger pay check, but more responsibility to travel and do things during the week. There is a reason that D1 basketball officials can consider seriously giving up their regular jobs and a D1 football official would not even think of doing that seriously. Again, they were not asking to bankrupt the NFL over their requests. Knowing what you are getting into is not a justification to accept the conditions that the NFL wants to change.

And no people do not just quit a good gig just because they do not like the certain conditions. What fantasy world are you living in? And considering that they are working in many cases two full time jobs to be an NFL official (especially crew chiefs). This is not something they are doing like a regular HS official and if you think so you do not know much about what happens at that level.

Peace

On the contrary, more power to them to try and get what they want. I just see a number of people on here that are up in arms about the replacement officials, how they aren't supporting their fellow brothers, and how these officials are going to be or should be ostracized.

America is the land of opportunity, and right now the NFL officials, by using their rights to negotiate the best deal possible, are themselves giving other officials the opportunity to fill their positions in the league. It may or may not pay-off for them. Time will tell.

Mike Bibby didn't want to play for the Washington Wizards anymore so he takes a pay cut so he can play for the Miami Heat. He quit a good gig because of the conditions and moved on. My wife had a great paying job, but she got a new boss that was unbearable. She found a new job that paid a little less, but the office conditions were much better.

I can get you more examples if you want. They will all be from the real world too.

Actually no one is up in arms about them, just telling it like it is. BTW, I have about 3 people that are actual FB friends of mine and I have worked with that crossed. The very same thing I told you here, I would tell them and have said to one of them. They are going to be used as a pawn and when this is all done they will not work much games. Only one has a potential career in college after this, but his advancement will end right where he is. That is a choice he had to make and even he recognized how bad the "overall group" has looked based on what the media has pointed out or certain official. Even the guy that worked the Hall of Fame game (I worked a college game with him last year and he is in one of my associations) was basically bounced from his crew chief position and it is doubtable that he will work a real NFL game. He was used for what they wanted and now his is thrown away. And probably will not likely work many of what he was doing before his big time jump in the spotlight.

It is a land of opportunity, but it is a land of consequences. If you make the wrong choice you will suffer from those choices. And if it was worth it just to say you worked an NFL game but having nothing to come back to, then I guess it is worth it.

Peace

Are you really comparing an NBA player that wanted to win a title for historical glory to guys that will be a footnote and the scorn no matter how many NFL games they will work? Do you think any of these guys are going to work the Super Bowl? I would rather not work than be the guy that was on the game where I gave a 4th timeout (actual FB friend was on that game).

Peace

I'm not saying anything should happen to them. I'm just saying what is a likely consequence.

Have you ever spoken to any (former) Big South/Conference Carolina basketball offcials who worked during the NBA labor dispute?

There are perhaps a few "up in arms," but for the most part, most of us just wouldn't do it. I'm not going to throw rocks at the guys working the games, I'm not even going to pick their games apart. I just wouldn't do it, which seems to me what the original question was.

Does it strike anyone as odd that we're not supporting the "other" officials who are getting their shot. There are two sets of officials here...and one is bad because they like the terms of the job and the other is good because they don't like the terms of the job?

And that's a fair response. However, not all responses in this thread have been as eloquent as yours. :)

Or has he spoken to any of the officials that did this the last time in 2001? Or better yet, can he tell us what D1 conferences any of those officials are working today?

If he did this the the reason almost every major conference official completely passed on this "opportunity."

Peace

Jeff, all I can do is respond to the words you say, and you said this...."And no people do not just quit a good gig just because they do not like the certain conditions. What fantasy world are you living in?" So I would suggest the following; 1) either get better with your grammar or 2) own up to what you say on here.

If you want to try to put a dig in on me with that 'fantasy world' crap, then I will response with facts and 'real' examples and make you look silly. Then in turn, you will obfuscate and pretend like you didn't say what you said. I've seen you do it too many times. You could actually be a good politician... :D

Who friggin' cares about the 4th timeout!!! Sure it was wrong. Did it change the outcome of the game? NO. Have there been games in the past 2-3 years where an incorrect call by the Big Boys did change the outcome of the game? YES.

How about if everyone just leaves the replacement officials make their own decisions. They are all adults, understand the situation at hand, and aren't as naive and ignorant as some of you think they are.

Did it ever cross anyone's mind that they are doing this because they are willing to take the risk?

Personally, I don't care about former Big South officials or the NBA, no offense. I'm sure you're trying to say that it's a lesson that everyone should learn from. But to be honest, it has nothing to do with the broader points that I have made about this specific situation.

Sue me, I typed a little fast. Still the statement stands, no one just quits a job just because they do not like one aspect of a job. They just want to be compensated for what they do from a multi-billion dollar corporation. It would cost each team around $100,000 and they are charging well over $100 a game for tickets in many cases and building new stadiums with tax payer money.

Actually people who travel for a living want to be compensated for that job. I do not know anyone that is gone for several days to do their job says, "Hey I want to be paid the same as someone that is sitting in their office and goes home every day." Maybe you have never had that kind of job, but people that do tend to make a little more than a manager that sits in the same place all the time. Better yet, if you have a job where you are on-call or always away from home people in those situations tend to ask for more money. And this is not even about money, it is about benefits.

But you said they could get anyone to take their job right? That was not a kind of sort of oversight, that was a pretty bad mistake that could have helped the Seahawks win the game. That is not a mistake that the current guys make or even a person at the high school or college level should make. And that was created because these guys have no NFL experience before this weekend (not talking about laid back pre-season). I would compare this to someone that crossed a line in the NBA not knowing how to apply the “clear path” rule or know the differences in the semi-circle from different levels. Then again the guys in the NBA that would be replaced are not guys like these replacements; they are not getting their replacements from high school courts. The regular NFL guys might miss a foot being out of bounds or a catch (and replay is there to help those situation), but not running the clock when it is supposed to be run or giving a touchback on the 5 yard line are not things the regular guys do. Better yet, not knowing when to enforce a penalty at the end of the kick or applying an NF philosophy of going back to the previous spot. Those are big things that would normally be caught. Again you say no one cares, but someone cares because those things are constantly being talked about by those that cover the NFL on a regular basis. I cannot watch a single NFL show without some mention of these kinds of huge mistakes and they are not easily defended like those from the regulars.

Peace

I will just say this and leave it at that. I know officials that have been fired from leagues after the officials signed a contract and wanted to get off to move up to another/higher level. You think these officials did not in July give back games to work these NFL games? They absolutely did in many cases and I know of specific situations that this was the case and they do not have a guaranteed job coming back. The college league I am working now has the assignor scrambling to fill games to this day because of this situation on many levels. And one case is a HS crew situation because the crew chief had to find replacements for his situation and we have no idea when or if this will be solved soon.

No one has to be sympathetic to your personal ambitions. You leave you can and will be replaced. That is also the American way. ;)

Peace

There's a big difference between an incorrect call that involves judgement (within reason), and an incorrect call due to procedural/lack of rules knowledge. If you work at any level varsity and above, one should criticized for missing a call due to a lack of rules knowledge. If the replacement officials (or any officials at any high level of play) want to work at the highest level, then they are certainly open to the criticism that comes with it...whether it "changed the outcome of the game." (And we don't know what would have happened if they would have correctly not stopped play for a requested 4th timeout...for all we know, the 5-7 minute break that it took for the officials and league representatives to get the ruling wrong could have given a tired defense some extra rest...we'll never know).

Bravo!

When I assign, I do it in such a manner to accommodate ambition, but it has its limits. Never mind working professional games; I have guys who turn back games just to work higher levels of amateur ball. That, even though I always wait to assign until the D1/D2 assignors are done. That, even though I always tell them, "If you want to stay available in case a make-up or replacement opportunity comes up, great. Just don't take my games." I never hold grudges for blocking a date so you can be open to work up. I always do if you turn back games I gave you after I already made my own job more difficult in order to accommodate your ambition.

I do what I can to help guys move up. One thing I absolutely demand, though, before I recommend someone to a higher-level assignor is that he honors his commitments.

I took a lot of heat for hiring striking minor-league baseball umpires in 2006. The ones I hired, though, batted 1.000 when it came to honoring their commitments. That was better than I got from the complainers; hell, I had one guy b!tching because I gave a striker a game that guy had turned back!

You want guys to agree to sit at home in case something comes up? Wow. Unless I was hurting for money, I wouldn't bother taking youth game from such an assignor if they were going to get pissy when the HS or college assignor calls with a game. Unless they're just lazy, it seems like an assignor would want the best officials he could get, even if it meant a little more work when they occasionally get called up to a higher level . That's what assignors get paid for. There are certain tiers of games and assignors need to realize their place in the hierarchy....even for turnbacks that are rippledown effects.

This is a joke. You go from saying "because they do not like the certain conditions" to "because they do not like one aspect of a job". That is just the perfect example of obfuscating. And complete denial to boot, even after being given two legitimate examples.

I have no interest in suing, however, it is always nice to converse with someone that doesn't keep moving the stakes to prove their point. Just a little tip...... take a few seconds and re-read what you've typed before submitting. I do and it does make a difference.. ;)
That logic may work in some European country, but thank goodness not here. The fact that it is a multi-billion dollar corporation is irrelevant. If someone will work/officiate for $X, then that's what will happen. If no one will do the job for $X, then they will increase the rate until they get a labor force that the EMPLOYER is happy with. If the labor force then demands increased pay or a better deal, the employer can either agree to it or go back to the labor market to see if they can find people willing to do the job for the previously established rate. Am I the only one that learned this in 10th grade?

Don't blame the new stadiums on the NFL. Ultimately, it is state and local governments that make the final decisions in that regard. Hence we can vote and put people into office that won't vote to spend tax payer money in that fashion.

Exactly. And I've even seen two unions fighting for the same jobs....each claiming it should be theirs.

Perhaps these replacements should form a union. That would resolve the reservations of the union lemmings. It would then be union vs. union. :D

No. The officials want to be available when something comes up at a higher level. That's THEIR decision, and it's fine with me. All I say is, "If you take a game from me, I expect you to work it. If being available to other assignors is more important to you than this game, don't take it." They want to eat their cake, and have it, too.

Many officials have made your exact argument to me. Some want to turn back a crappy college game to do a really good HS game. Some don't want to piss off some other assignor. I've told many, "OK, but it's going to work both ways. You can do that, but if I assign you a game and a better official lets me know he's available, I'm dumping you and giving it to him. Are you good with that?"

Rut's position is correct: they can do that, but they can and will be replaced.

I don't let teams screw the officials, and I don't keep officials who think they're bigger than the game. That keeps me in good stead with officials who want to work, and with teams who want officials.

I'll say it again since you didn't understand it...you want the officials to sit home in case the better game comes up rather than help you out if they can and don't get an assignment from a higher level. You want to be priority #1 with third rate level of games. I understand if you want to establish some sort of deadline for turning the game back, but none at all sounds more like a power trip than reasonable.

It is pretty standard practice here for the assignors to accommodate the upper level assignors. People turn back games for higher games all the time. It is the expected order of things...D3 comes after D2. HS comes after college. MS comes after HS. Etc... It doesn't hurt their assignments one bit. The only issue that bothers anyone is short notice.

In fact, the lower level assignors are grateful they can even get them to do their games because they know that if they make the person choose, they're going to choose the higher level and they'll be left with the next level officials. Sure, it makes the assignors job easier but they really are not putting the best officials they can get on the floor.

You are right it is a common practice, but it is not a practice that everyone follows the same way or across the board. As I said I know a guy that works D1 now and gave back a HS varsity game to a local assignor. That official was banned from that league for giving back the game. Now that official obviously was not hurt by that situation, but others have not achieved that level and were hurt or did not get certain assignments in the future. A MS assignor is a little different than HS assignors for sure. And depending on when you give back the game that can cause some challenges to that assignor. And if that assignor feels you just dumped a game on them within a short period of time, they can and will take issue with that position. But like Publius suggested, there are assignors that do not want you to give back their games and tell us around here to not put them in that situation. Of course things happen and if it is really a move up then most will pat you on the back and assign the game, but some will just look as you not taking their game seriously and not assign you in the future. I work a couple of really nice and prestigious tournaments and people that gave back those games often have not been asked in the future. Again, that is the assignor's right to feel that way and again the official in the replacement role for the NFL gave back games with a month or so left before the season. I can imagine the assignors were not happy and time will tell if these guys have a place to come back to.

Peace

You've made no points of significance to me and I really don't care about your opinion on the replacement/regular officials. You made the idiotic statement that most people here think the replacement officials should suffer for their decision. I merely pointed out that there could be career consequences and there have been in the past in smiliar situations. If that bothers you then that's your shortcoming, not mine. You're juvenile response tells me all I need to know about your mentality.

Everyone take a deep breath.