Contacting Partners
 

Over the weekend, I was assigned a game next week... what will be my first game as an official (a JV girls game). :D

On the forum, I've seen mention of contacting partners in advance of a game. How does that work? Does the R email the partner(s)? What usually gets mentioned?

Looking forward to the game and hoping to be a good partner on and off the floor.

I'd ask around your area to see what is the norm.

In the associations I've belong to, it's been policy for the R to contact his/her partner(s) at least 48 hours before the game...by phone or by e-mail. I personally like to contact my partner(s) earlier by way of e-mail, so that I have physical proof, if needed, that I tried to contact my partner(s). If they don't respond in a timely fashion, I will then contact by way of phone.

Whoever is assigned as the R should contact the partner(s). Often times I will call the R when I haven't heard from them as some of the more veteran guys are lax about it. And I never, ever, want to do a game by myself.

The Rome Around Here
 

Around here the umpire(s) contacts the R, then the R confirms the crew to the AD. That way the AD isn't plagued by an overabundance of emails. If the R doesn't hear from the umpire(s), he'll contact them about two days in advance of the game.
All contacts are by email. Phone is secondary method when nothing is heard via email.
May differ in your area. Check local listings. When in Nome, do as the Nomans do.
(BTW, haven't heard from Shishmaref Ref for a long time here. I checked his school district website and note that he's still on staff there off the Bering coast. Maybe he's lurking or perhaps not officiating anymore.)

Basketball Official Confirmation ...
 

Every Sunday night, I send confirmation emails to the athletic directors of every site where I will be working, as either the referee, or the umpire, that week, with cc's to my partners.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5259/5...e071a75e_m.jpg

December 9, 2012

BillyMac
50 Main Street
Little Corner, CT 06000
Home Phone (000) 000-0000
Cell Phone (000) 000-0000
Email: [email protected]

Environmental Chemical Analyst
Acme Environmental Laboratories, Inc.
100 Main Street
Little Corner, CT 06000
Business Phone (000) 000-0000

This is to confirm that I will officiate the boys varsity basketball game at East Oshkosh High School
on Wednesday, December 13, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.

Please contact me if there is any change in the schedule. My contact information is above.
During weekday business hours, it is best to reach me at (000) 000-0000. I do not have access
to the internet, nor to email, nor do I get a cell phone signal, at work.

Sincerely,

BillyMac
International Association of Approved Basketball Officials
Little Corner Connecticut Board #0

About 48 hrs out I will send an email to my P's acknowledging our game - doesn't matter if I'm R or not.

Confirmation Protocol ...
 

Here's the protocol for my local board:

Officials are expected to confirm their games. Email addresses for athletic directors, faculty managers, or site directors, as well as partners, are on the Arbiter website. The email should state the gender, level, site, day, date, and time of the game, along with one’s contact information, sent to both the school, and to one’s partner. A confirmation, emailed in this manner, looks professional, and assures everyone that the officials have been properly assigned for the game.

Guys, don't forget the most important
 

Most times I also include my wife on the list of people to contact regarding my schedule:rolleyes: Although, I will admit more than once over the years calling her from a gym with the ole "by the way, I have a game tonight at ____ School" Those always turn out good:eek:

Be sure to find out what is protocol in your association. But most have it where the R contacts the crew. However, if you haven't heard from them by the day before I would reach out to them, introduce yourself, ask them things like what time are they getting to the game site, do they have a long or difficult commute, are they coming dressed in their uniform or will they change in the coaches office/locker room. Also, be sure to give them contact information of your own so that they can contact you at a moment's notice.
Being your first game, remember two things: Look sharp - Work sharp. Smile every time you can.

I usually email partners about 4-5 days before a game, and confirm details (date, time, location) with them.

I email ADs (and athletic secretaries, if I can find their email addresses... athletic secretaries run the show anyway) on the Monday of the week of the game. (for Monday games, I email on Thursday or Friday before the game). Here's a my email template, replace the capitalized words with details as appropriate:

Doesn't matter if I'm the R or the U... about 90% of the time I end up being the one who contacts the school.

Thanks for the replies and examples.

I will contact one of our association trainers to see if there is an approved protocol for our area/association and proceed from there.

Through your career every once in a while you'll come across jerks who find it bothersome to contact their partner(s) before games. When my crew chiefs haven't contacted me by a certain time I will contact them via text and email. If I don't get a reply then on the day of the game I will call them.

Our assigner "desires" that we contact him if we haven't heard from partners in a timely fashion....

If we haven't heard from one of our P's by game day, we "must" call our Assignor.

+1