First games of the season
 

I've been going stir crazy since the end of volleyball but tonight it ends.Working 12 varsity girls games as a scorekeeper (school has already purchased the stripes) over the next three days.Let the crazy begin :D :D :D :D

Chain Gang ???
 

Wear the stripes proudly.

Less than a week for me to start my 2nd season. I expected another season of middle school ball, which is fine with me. Must have impressed someone along the way, got the first months schedule the other day, 8 JV games, 4 middle school games.

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

Don't do that. Everybody starts somewhere, and everybody should be proud of moving to the next level, regardless of what that next level is.

Don't sell yourself short. Congratulations on getting some high school games!

Enjoy ...
 

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.

You're right! I'm actually pretty happy because my plan at the start of last year was high school games in year 3. I have some pretty good games on the schedule too.

Some of them are followed by varsity games so I plan on staying for those too.

You'll do fine. I run into a lot of lower level officials where I live who are only on the court for the paycheck. No interest in getting better, no interest in looking the part, no interest in even looking interested when working.

Those who are interested and want to improve and advance quickly find themselves working higher level games.

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.

I worked with a few of those people last year. One guys idea of giving back to the game by helping new officials was allowing them to call the game basically by themselves. I called 20 fouls to his 3, so I could "learn" he also showed up at 3:28, for a 3:30 tip.

The most important game
 

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.

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.

And That's The Truth (Edith Ann) ...
 

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.

We all started somewhere. I remember what my first season was like as if it was yesterday.

Peace

I always take pride in the game i'm doing weather it's a jr hi game or a packed friday night varsity rivalry game. Some guys lose the focus that to those j.v. or jr hi kids...That game IS their varsity game, its the most important thing to them and to their coach at that time. Congrats on the assignments, keep working hard and give those kids the game they deserve!

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.

Now that football has wound down and we're about into December, I'm feeling the itch a little bit to get back on the court. The one thing I really don't like about working football and basketball overlapping like they do here is that I'm plumb worn out by the end of football season and don't build any enthusiasm for basketball until about now.

"Hey Look Coach, I Found A Four Leaf Clover" ...
 

Of course. Those are the ones who are picking dandelions in the outfield. Wait? I'm being told that that's the wrong sport. Nevermind..

If you want people to take everything the same, then pay the same, start the game at the same time and use the same number of officials for each game at every level. Until that happens, then you will get officials that will take the same approach.

And is is obvious that kids that play at the freshman level all would play when they get to the varsity ages.

Peace

I know some will find this blasphemous, but what the heck: Expecting officials to come in and treat youth basketball with the same gravitas as a varsity or college game at $20 to $25 a game is a bit much, IMO.

Normally I do two or three of these things a year and I usually work 4 games or so in a stretch. To me, it's work for a paycheck. I hustle and work hard (although we may not switch 75% of the time) but I don't spend a lot of time being philosophical -- I know what I am that weekend -- a $100 guy in a striped shirt who will take exactly no crap per game from coaches and players.

And it is horribly unrealistic. There is a reason officials stop doing those games when they get to a certain level or have other experiences.

Peace

I got my first three assigned games over the weekend: a Freshman/JV boys doubleheader and a JV boys game. Won't be for a while, though.

Should be interesting. :)

I admit I've been a little jealous of those who have started sooner than we do here.

And then, I got my schedule: Three games next week, six the following week, and six more the week after.

I agree, seems like we start everything late here in Maine and then it all piles up at once....including the snow.

I have 5 games next week and 4 the following week. Between our Sunday board clinic and 4 Red Claws games (game day staff) I will be spending an awful lot of time around the game.

just started my seventh year as a scorekeeper.still love that every game presents its own challenge from back there.I love the officials that say the game in front of them is the most important.Its the attitude I take when I scorekeep volleyball or basketball or call lines.Let's all have some fun this year :D :D :D

Congrats, man!!!
 

NEVER sell yourself short. Be proud, be very proud. Everyone on this board will offer you only kudos and congrats.

Seriously- there are enough yahoos in the stands and uninformed coaches who WILL sell you short.

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.

What would you have adjusted in your routine?

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.

From A Recent Article In Our Local Board Newsletter ...
 

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.

Congrats! Work to get even better.

And it IS much for the kids and coaches in those games.

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

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.