First games of the season

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Moosie74

Not much for most people here I know but its something for me.

That's a great attitude to take.

Those games are the most important games being played anywhere that day for those kids, fans, and coaches. And I sincerely believe that. I'm a varsity official but I also do Catholic middle school games, and I enjoy them as much as I enjoy my varsity games. I just love being out there with the kids. Basketball is basketball, and I love the sport.

[Moosie74]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

That's a great attitude to take.

Those games are is the most important games being played anywhere that day for those kids, fans, and coaches. And I sincerely believe that. I'm a varsity official but I also do Catholic middle school games, and I enjoy them as much as I enjoy my varsity games. I just love being out there with the kids. Basketbal is basketball, and I love the sport.

When I had my first game last year I was the highest paid spectator out there, I was brutal. But after a couple of games I caught on and became pretty comfortable and more proficient.

I agree too that the games are important for everyone. I am a veteran softball umpire, I enjoy the middle school games just as much as the upper level ball.

My biggest improvement of the year is an odd one, I managed to lose 15 pounds during the season which meant I was pulling my pants up every trip down the floor. I've now lost 40 pounds since last year, and bought new pants, looking forward to being a bit quicker and getting in better position.

[wyo96]

SoCal and Moosie... enjoy. I know I alwys look forward to the first games with glee...

Originally Posted by BillyMac

That's a great attitude to take.

Those games are is the most important games being played anywhere that day for those kids, fans, and coaches. And I sincerely believe that. I'm a varsity official but I also do Catholic middle school games, and I enjoy them as much as I enjoy my varsity games. I just love being out there with the kids. Basketbal is basketball, and I love the sport.

Billy...
I love this thought. I too have seen people who are not 100% vested in the game they are doing at that time. I remember my playing days, (ok, my bench days) but MY WORLD at that time was the game of the day. I think it behooves all officials to give 100% concentration every time.

Me for example..Thursday 2 MS Girls games, Friday Boys Freshman, Sat AM Girls Freshman, Sat Night Girls Jr. College. The players ( or my paretners) will never know what my previous or next game will be, only that I am working their game now.

[stir22]

Originally Posted by wyo96

SoCal and Moosie... enjoy. I know I alwys look forward to the first games with glee...



Billy...
I love this thought. I too have seen people who are not 100% vested in the game they are doing at that time. I remember my playing days, (ok, my bench days) but MY WORLD at that time was the game of the day. I think it behooves all officials to give 100% concentration every time.

Me for example..Thursday 2 MS Girls games, Friday Boys Freshman, Sat AM Girls Freshman, Sat Night Girls Jr. College. The players ( or my paretners) will never know what my previous or next game will be, only that I am working their game now.

Agree fully. Nothing gets my blood boiling faster than a partner showing 2 minutes before tip-off for a middle school game. I like to pre-game, no matter the level. The middle school, grade school and parochial kids work just as hard as the rest...maybe harder than some. I expect myself to do the same.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by stir22

Agree fully. Nothing gets my blood boiling faster than a partner showing 2 minutes before tip-off for a middle school game. I like to pre-game, no matter the level. The middle school, grade school and parochial kids work just as hard as the rest...maybe harder than some. I expect myself to do the same.

Your expectations may or may not be met by your partners.

I worked as a fill-in for a game last year, last minute. First middle school game I'd done since the mid-90s. I showed up 40 minutes early for the 2 games and I was the only person there. They didn't understand why my uniform was in a suitcase and not on me and my partner showed up 5 minutes before the tip. Actually, it made me realize that maybe I should've adjusted my routine a bit.

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by Rich

Your expectations may or may not be met by your partners.

I worked as a fill-in for a game last year, last minute. First middle school game I'd done since the mid-90s. I showed up 40 minutes early for the 2 games and I was the only person there. They didn't understand why my uniform was in a suitcase and not on me and my partner showed up 5 minutes before the tip. Actually, it made me realize that maybe I should've adjusted my routine a bit.

What would you have adjusted in your routine?

[Moosie74]

Originally Posted by Rich

Your expectations may or may not be met by your partners.

I worked as a fill-in for a game last year, last minute. First middle school game I'd done since the mid-90s. I showed up 40 minutes early for the 2 games and I was the only person there. They didn't understand why my uniform was in a suitcase and not on me and my partner showed up 5 minutes before the tip. Actually, it made me realize that maybe I should've adjusted my routine a bit.

I try and get there at least 30 minutes before a game whenever possible. I too arrive in street clothes and have had ADs acknowledge that I was there early and hopefully my partner would be right along.

Most show up in uniform or ratty jeans, I just can't understand that.

I apologized to an AD last year for getting there 20 minutes early because I got delayed and work and she said, oh don't worry, your partner isn't hear and you're still early compared to some guys.

I personally can't imagine rolling out of my truck and heading directly for the court to start the game.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Moosie74

Most show up in uniform or ratty jeans, I just can't understand that.

When arriving at a game site, people immediately judge you by your appearance. Make a good first impression by coming to game sites dressed professionally in business casual attire. Consider purchasing a sweater, pullover, or vest, with an IAABO logo, or a Board logo. Common sense dictates that some afternoon assignments may require officials to arrive in uniform, or in work clothes. Middle school sites may lack secure dressing areas, and may not have shower facilities available.

For most high school games, where secure dressing areas, and showers, are available, officials should not come dressed in uniform, and should not come dressed in sneakers, work boots, jeans, T-shirts, etc. It looks bad, and reflects poorly on the Board. On court, the official’s uniform should be clean, pants pressed, all black shoes shined, jacket unwrinkled, and the official should be well groomed. Officials should shower after the game and should not leave wearing a uniform. Doing so could give the impression that the official wants to “get in, get out, and get paid”, which is not the impression that Board officials want to present.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by stir22

Agree fully. Nothing gets my blood boiling faster than a partner showing 2 minutes before tip-off for a middle school game. I like to pre-game, no matter the level. The middle school, grade school and parochial kids work just as hard as the rest...maybe harder than some. I expect myself to do the same.

Jobs. Some people have jobs.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Forksref

Jobs. Some people have jobs.

Don't take the game then. And then you will not have to worry about where you are coming from.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Don't take the game then. And then you will not have to worry about where you are coming from.

Peace

Many times the assignor will say, "Get there when you can."

There aren't a ton of people who can get to a school by 4PM (or whatever) as it is. They're thrilled to have someone who can make it by 3:45PM. Or even 3:55PM.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Rich

Many times the assignor will say, "Get there when you can."

There aren't a ton of people who can get to a school by 4PM (or whatever) as it is. They're thrilled to have someone who can make it by 3:45PM. Or even 3:55PM.

Yep...the same 2 people can't officiate every 3:00 or 4:00 game on the schedule. You get who you can.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Those games are is the most important games being played anywhere that day for those kids, fans, and coaches.

While I agree that you should give your best effort regardless of level of play, I think that Billy's statement above is not really true, especially at levels below high school.

Young kids can be more excited about going home and playing Nintendo than about their basketball game. Clueless parents who are coaching just to help out are more interested in the Pats game at 1:00 (or the Celtics that night) than their early morning basketball game.

Please understand that I'm NOT saying the games don't matter or that it's ok to be lazy in those games. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying Billy's sentiment, while admirable, is probably a little over-dramatic.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

I'm just saying Billy's sentiment, while admirable, is probably a little over-dramatic.

Maybe when others make statements like mine, it's overdramatic, but it my case it's the sincere, God honest truth. Sure, it would be great to work top notch high school varsity games several nights a week, but when I'm available, I really do look forward to working my Catholic middle school games, even down to fifth, and sixth, graders. I loved playing basketball in high school, loved playing intramurals in college, and loved playing playground ball as a young man. I loved coaching middle school basketball for over twenty-five years until helicopter parents eventually wore me down. I've loved every single interscholastic game in my thirty-two year officiating career. I hope that I'm healthy enough to keep doing this, although maybe not on the varsity level, for the next thirty-two years. I would absolutely, positively, not mind completing my officiating career working junior varsity, freshman, and middle school games.

Full Disclosure: I've never been able to get "into" men's recreation league, kid's recreation league, travel league, or AAU games, as much as I've gotten "into' scholastic games, but I still tried to give it my best effort. Those games I "pretty much" did for the money. I don't work those games anymore. I would do interscholastic games for free (almost) but don't tell anybody, or I'll have to kill you.

[legend]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

While I agree that you should give your best effort regardless of level of play, I think that Billy's statement above is not really true, especially at levels below high school.

Young kids can be more excited about going home and playing Nintendo than about their basketball game. Clueless parents who are coaching just to help out are more interested in the Pats game at 1:00 (or the Celtics that night) than their early morning basketball game.

Please understand that I'm NOT saying the games don't matter or that it's ok to be lazy in those games. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying Billy's sentiment, while admirable, is probably a little over-dramatic.

Maybe you don't understand what goes into coaching kids at any level. While some of the guys or "clueless parents" as you call them, may not be deciples of the game. They still put A TON of time in with the kids, between working full time jobs, daily 2-2 1/2 hour practices, and games they sacrafice alot of family time to be there for those kids. Are there some kids who really don't want to be there...sure but look at the typical 15 kids on a team, you will have atleast 10-12 kids who REALLY do think that (at that moment) that game is the most important thing to them. Atleast thats my experience in my area with youth leagues, weather its hoops, football or baseball they (the kids) care.