Pre-Game Communication

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by CountTheBasket

I struggle with this because I do not want to step on anyones toes so I wanted to get an opinion from anyone who has one. When I'm the R on a game (HS varsity) I like to send out the standard email/text/phone call (whichever seems appropriate) 24-48 hours before a game to be sure everyones on the same page with time, location, level, etc. However, at what point should the U1 or U2 step up if nothing has been recieved from the R. Maybe I'm over thinking the process, I just don't like to start out on the wrong foot with an unknown R if they're going to feel I'm doing their job.

CVBOA? Mid-South? Tri-Cities?

I hate when an 'R' won't communicate before the game. I once had a D3 game where the R wouldn't return any of my emails. So on the morning of the game I sent a text. His response was "it's on arbiter, isn't it?".

I once had a long-distance college game between non-conference foes. Our supervisor has a policy of the R contacting the school to verify the game and then contacting the crew. Turns out the game was double-booked and the officials were supposed to come from the visiting team's supervisor. If my R hadn't of done his minimum requirements, there would have been 3 extra officials at the game who travelled a long distance for no reason.

Schools and supervisors sometimes make mistakes. If we sit around assuming everytime is automatically correct, we are setting ourselves up for failure.

[HokiePaul]

If I have a game on Friday and I haven't seen anything from the crew, I'm sending out an email before I leave the office on Wednesday. Usually just a quick email:

"Confirming our game on [Date] at [School A] at [Time]. I'll be there no later than [Time]."

My association puts the responsibility on all the officials, not just the R, to make contact with your partner(s) at least 24 hours before.

[JRutledge]

This is strictly and area thing. At the high school around here it is not always clear who is the Referee and they are not given the same responsibilities as most college supervisors would have for their Referee. This is really what your supervisors and associations want. We can only tell you what we are asked to do and that might be in conflict with your area.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by HokiePaul

My association puts the responsibility on all the officials, not just the R ...

Same here, confirmation email to the athletic director, cc'd to partner. I send out my confirmation emails, using the Arbiter, every Sunday, for the following five weekdays, and the following weekend, games.

Basketball Official Confirmation

January 5, 2014

WillyMac
00 Main Street
East Oshkosh, CT 00000
Home Phone (000) 000-0000
Cell Phone (000) 000-0000 (No Signal During Business Hours)
Email: [email protected]

Environmental Chemical Analyst
Acme Laboratories, Inc.
000 East Street
West Oshkosh, CT 00000
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 Friday, January 10, 2014, 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 Of Connecticut Board #0

[Camron Rust]

I contact my partners a few days before the game regardless of what duty I've been assigned to.

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Same here, confirmation email to the athletic director, cc'd to partner. I send out my confirmation emails, using the Arbiter, every Sunday, for the following five weekdays, and the following weekend, games.

{snip confirmation template}

When I asked this question a year ago, I decided on using a modified version of this. Whether I'm the R or U, I try to send a confirmation within two days of a scheduled game.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I hate when an 'R' won't communicate before the game. I once had a D3 game where the R wouldn't return any of my emails. So on the morning of the game I sent a text. His response was "it's on arbiter, isn't it?".
.

Wow.

Round here the small college supervisor expects contact by Sunday before the game...if we haven't heard from the R 48 hours before game time, we are supposed to let the supervisor know.

Can't say I have done that...usually if they don't contact me, I get in touch with them so no one gets "in trouble".

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Wow.

Round here the small college supervisor expects contact by Sunday before the game...if we haven't heard from the R 48 hours before game time, we are supposed to let the supervisor know.

Can't say I have done that...usually if they don't contact me, I get in touch with them so no one gets "in trouble".

This the expectation of one of the MS assigners around here. If you haven't heard from your partner (regardless of who the R is) by the day before, he wants to know.