First Games Assigned 2012-13.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

First scrimmage: 11am today.

First doubleheader: next Thursday, 2 miles from the workplace. $100.

Life is good.

I just got emails looking for officials for scrimmages.

One pays $75, another pays $80. Both are about 3 hours long. Can't work either -- last college football game on the first date, business trip on the other.

I just shake my head when I hear of officials not getting paid to work scrimmages.

First game in 13 days.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Rich

I just shake my head when I hear of officials not getting paid to work scrimmages.

STOP SHAKING YOUR HEAD AT ME! Meanie!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by grunewar

STOP SHAKING YOUR HEAD AT ME! Meanie!

+1

It's not my system, I just work in it.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

I just shake my head when I hear of officials not getting paid to work scrimmages.

We started a new scrimmage policy a few years ago. Previous to the change, we either used to sign up for free scrimmages at our preseason local board meetings, or we would get calls from local coaches with whom we previously had some type of relationship, usually hometown coaches. The scrimmages were "free" but we would often walk away with a twenty dollar bill in our pocket, or get a free T-shirt, or get a grinder, or a couple of slices of pizza, and this always had a positive effect on relations between the officials and the school. Under this system, I would often work a half dozen, or more, scrimmages, choosing to work games either near my home, or near my work. These scrimmages really got me prepared for the upcoming season.

Under our new paid scrimmage policy, we are assigned scrimmages, as much as fifty miles away, by our assistant assignment commissioner, through Arbiter, and get paid $33.33, minus the 7% commissioner's fee, for a two hour scrimmage, three officials assigned, two person games, switch on, and off, the court between periods. Now that we get paid, everybody, 325 local board members, wants to get in on the money, so guys that never wanted to work scrimmages in the past, now can't wait to get some cash in their pockets. Since the change, I have never been assigned more than two scrimmages. Last year I was only assigned one scrimmage, a girls scrimmage. My next game, a "real" game, was a boys varsity game, which turned out to be the most competitive game of my season, with two teams who had gone deep into the state tournament the previous year, one team went on to win the state championship at end of last season. I was not ready for that game. It was just too fast for me compared to the girls high school scrimmage that I had worked, as well as a few Catholic middle school games that I had also worked.

This scrimmage policy change was encouraged by our state interscholastic sports governing body. Several sports (field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer) were having problems getting free scrimmage officials, so our state association encouraged all sports officials to charge for scrimmages, assigning games in much the same manner as regular season assignments. Enough free officials showing up for basketball scrimmages was never a problem previous to this policy change. Those of us who wanted to work scrimmages, worked scrimmages, and the problem was never not enough basketball officials working scrimmages, but too many, with four, or five, of us showing up for a two hour scrimmage, only getting to work couple of periods.

Sometimes getting paid isn't always better. There are often unintended consequences.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Enough free officials showing up for basketball scrimmages was never a problem previous to this policy change. Those of us who wanted to work, worked, and the problem was never not enough basketball officials working scrimmages, but too many, with four, or five, of us showing up for a two hour scrimmage, only getting to work couple of periods.

Same here. But, I understand and accept the situation. It only lasts a week!

I manage to work games all yr. But others have to wipe the rust off.....just a bit more than me! At least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by grunewar

I manage to work games all year. But others have to wipe the rust off, just a bit more than me!

I haven't worked a game since the second week of March. Wipe the rust off? I need some naval jelly.

Now if I can get a scrimmage where I have to rake leaves, that would be great. No problem there. I've recently had a lot of practice raking leaves. I can work a boys varsity leaf raking competition right away, no warm up needed.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I haven't worked a game since the second week of March. Wipe the rust off? I need some naval jelly.

Now if I can get a scrimmage where I have to rake leaves, that would be great. No problem there. I've recently had a lot of practice raking leaves. I can work a boys varsity leaf raking competition right away, no warm up needed.

Does this leaf get a T?

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Does this leaf get a T?

Only if it breaks wind.

[APG]

New to the area I'm in...assigned to 3 scrimmages so far. One GV and BV each (both 3 man), and one GJV, so I'm happy about that.

[amusedofficial]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

The scrimmages were "free" but we would often walk away with a twenty dollar bill in our pocket, or get a free T-shirt, or get a grinder, or a couple of slices of pizza

It is my understanding that "grinder" is New Englandese for a submarine sandwhich that is toasted in the oven. I once ordered an Italian grinder and suddenly they were sticking it under the broiler and I said "I didn't ask for that" and they told a "grinder" was a toasted sub.

I ask because a toasted submarine sandwich is kind of rough on the mouth when you've been tooting the whistle all night. Give me some soft white bread and a solid IPA.

I shall not enter a discussion of milk shake vs. frappe vs. cabinet since such discussion makes my head hurt.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

It is my understanding that "grinder" is New Englandese for a submarine sandwich that is toasted in the oven.

Two words: Hoagie. Hero. Discuss among yourselves.