Flying Solo!

[Welpe]

I learned my lesson when I worked one and a half games by myself after my partner went to thr visiting team's school. I now send an email as a matter of course a few days before the game. Contacting each other before subvarsity games isn't the norm around here though.

[BillyMac]

I always email a confirmation (below) to the site's athletic director, and a copy to my partner. I do this every Sunday, for all my upcoming games that week. Why? Because if there's a screwup, created by me, my partner, the school, my assignment commissioner, or Arbiter, the first question my assignment commissioner will ask me is , "Did you confirm your game". I will always be able to answer, "Yes", to that first question. After that, it's gonna be a crap shot, but at least I'll be off to a good start in that conversation.

Basketball Official Confirmation



February 3, 2013

BillyMac
100 Main Street
Little Corner, CT 06000
Home Phone (000) 000-0000
Cell Phone (000) 000-0000 (No Signal During Business Hours)
Email: [email protected]

Environmental Chemical Analyst
Acme Environmental Laboratories, Inc.
200 Roadrunner Street
Transylvania, CT 06000
Business Phone (000) 000-0000 (Ask For BillyMac)

This is to confirm that I will officiate the boys varsity basketball game at East OshKosh High School
on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 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
Connecticut Board #0

[Stat-Man]

When I learned our association doesn't require confirmation (but suggests it as a good idea), I decided to use a template similar to BillyMac's.

I've only had one partner reply back to me, although some others will mention that they got my e-mail when we are talking before the game.

Being a new official, quite a few schools/districts reply back to ask for W9 information or to confirm my arbiter information so they can properly pay me.

[RookieDude]

The Arbiter sends out an automatic message to the entire crew for an upcoming game.

I simply forward it to my partners, with a brief note about how much "I'm looking forward to working the game with them", where to meet if we are driving together (and what time to meet), and clarify what color shirts we will wear (stripes or gray...even though I bring both colored shirts).

P.S. We almost always were the black and white stripes for regular season games.

If I do not get a reply...then I will make a phone call.