Arbiter Mandate

[LRZ]

Here, in SE PA, there is no mandate for school basketball, the only state-sanctioned sport I currently work. Some basketball assignors use it, some don't.

I can only speculate about what a governing body would get. Increased consistency and accountability, as people have to accept/decline assignments? Ease in pre-game communication among partners? A more structured system for submitting post-game incidents in reports? If the state also implements refpay, maybe some more methodical payment.

[Rich]

I dream of the day when all of our conferences and sports use one system for assigning. As it is now, some use Arbiter, some use rSchool, some use RefRanking/Athletix, and some still send out paper contracts.

I'd be happy to move everything to Arbiter -- would be the best thing ever for us.

[bob jenkins]

I agree that the multiple systems is a pain. But, I'd rather move everything off the arbiter than on to it.

[ronny mulkey]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I agree that the multiple systems is a pain. But, I'd rather move everything off the arbiter than on to it.

Bob,

Any experiences you care to share?

Some older assignors do not have a computer or know how one works from my experiences

[Andy]

Do you remember about 10 years ago or so, the IRS started going after individuals who made tips as a majority of their income? the IRS felt that most people were under reporting or not reporting that income at all in order not to be taxed on it.

I have heard that the IRS has now turned an eye toward sports officials. There is pressure on officials organizations and state HS governing bodies to account for the payments to officials. In the past, it was "pick up a check or cash as you arrived for your assignment." I only got a 1099 if I was over the $600 limit from one school district.

As of three years ago here, all HS officiating payments are going through RefPay....now I get a 1099 for all of the HS officiating that I did the previous year.

Centralized officiating payment systems are the way it is going.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Andy

Centralized officiating payment systems are the way it is going.

If it streamlines the process and gets me paid quicker, fine by me!

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by Andy

Do you remember about 10 years ago or so, the IRS started going after individuals who made tips as a majority of their income? the IRS felt that most people were under reporting or not reporting that income at all in order not to be taxed on it.

I have heard that the IRS has now turned an eye toward sports officials. There is pressure on officials organizations and state HS governing bodies to account for the payments to officials. In the past, it was "pick up a check or cash as you arrived for your assignment." I only got a 1099 if I was over the $600 limit from one school district.

I have heard this too...and I think it is going to change the landscape for a lot of sports officials. I have heard from volunteers who run local leagues for basketball, baseball, softball and football that they are under increasing scrutiny from the IRS and have to start issuing 1099s.

I know one league that started this a couple of years ago and subsequently lost a bunch of officials who did not want any "proof" of income. The head of one small baseball league told me his organization paid $24,000 to umpires last year...but the paperwork burden to him and the treasurer to be in full compliance will be large. (They used to pay cash at the field.)

I know far more officials who work for cash and never report their income than I know those who report every penny, but also keep records to offset that income with legal deductions.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by rich

i dream of the day when all of our conferences and sports use one system for assigning. As it is now, some use arbiter, some use rschool, some use refranking/athletix, and some still send out paper contracts.

I'd be happy to move everything to arbiter -- would be the best thing ever for us.

+1.

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by Rich

I dream of the day when all of our conferences and sports use one system for assigning. As it is now, some use Arbiter, some use rSchool, some use RefRanking/Athletix, and some still send out paper contracts.

I'd be happy to move everything to Arbiter -- would be the best thing ever for us.

I share your dream. I have to keep an eye on:
*Arbiter (NCAAW & NJ HS)
*Reftown (NYC GV)
*Presto (NCAAW)
*email (NYC BV)

Somehow I have avoided double-booking anyone (knock wood).

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by LRZ

Here, in SE PA, there is no mandate for school basketball, the only state-sanctioned sport I currently work. Some basketball assignors use it, some don't.
....

The kid from Chester looked good last night. I have some cousins who played at Academy Park.


Our state association hasn't mandated anything. Both my HS boards utilize Arbiter. The previous commissioner on my local board lost his position in 2010 in part because he refused to go to electronic scheduling; he was still using pen and paper and sending out assignment on an Execl spreadsheet.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

The kid from Chester looked good last night. I have some cousins who played at Academy Park.


Our state association hasn't mandated anything. Both my HS boards utilize Arbiter. The previous commissioner on my local board lost his position in 2010 in part because he refused to go to electronic scheduling; he was still using pen and paper and sending out assignment on an Execl spreadsheet.

It's funny - part of the reason I decided not to reapply for the assigning gig I had in 2007 was because the teams insisted I go back to manual scheduling. I refused. The guy doing the job now is STILL emailing out assignments manually 7 years later.

[LRZ]

Originally Posted by Rich

[snip] The guy doing the job now is STILL emailing out assignments manually 7 years later.

Being retired, I LOVE those emails (or occasionally a phone call) at 8 or 9 am, asking if I'm free that afternoon. Sure! Where, what time?

[Scuba_ref]

WA State uses Arbiter for all sports.

[ronny mulkey]

Originally Posted by Scuba_ref

WA State uses Arbiter for all sports.

Scuba,

How is it accepted by officials or assignors? Are there any additional fees the officials have to pay? Have there been any glitches during the season? Is there any items about Arbiter that you wish they would change?