Ahhh...the joys of (almost) summer ball

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Here, in my little corner of Connecticut, we are allowed to wear our IAABO patched shirts anywhere, anytime, as long as our partner is an IAABO member.

Since Connecticut is "pretty much" a 100% IAABO state, anybody without an IAABO patch is some type of "gypsy", freelancing, official, and most of us, including me, will not work with such an "uncertified" official.

In thirty-three years, I have never worked with an official that was not an IAABO member, in any type of game, recreation league, mens league, AAU, travel teams, etc. Never. Ever. I've never even had a choice. Every time, and I literally mean every time, I've walked into a gym, there's a patched IAABO official, or an unpatched rookie "cadet" IAABO official, there for me to work with.

Here, in another IAABO state, IAABO patches are required for HS games (all levels). Below that, not so much, and I tend to simply match up with what my partner is wearing. Some guys put their IAABO shirts away for the summer, some don't. There is one local middle school group that does not require IAABO certification. I personally don't care, but my experience tells me it's better to match for the game.

If one guy has a patch and the other doesn't, it opens up one of you as a target in that game.

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by Adam

Here, in another IAABO state, IAABO patches are required for HS games (all levels). Below that, not so much, and I tend to simply match up with what my partner is wearing. Some guys put their IAABO shirts away for the summer, some don't. There is one local middle school group that does not require IAABO certification. I personally don't care, but my experience tells me it's better to match for the game.

If one guy has a patch and the other doesn't, it opens up one of you as a target in that game.

I'm not sure about the "target" part of things but I know what I was taught: Match what your partner is wearing. The only situation where I'm lax on that is at camps since you never know what the other folks will have with them.

The way they put it to us: "If it's an outdoor summer game and your partner only has long pants, you put on long pants...then cuss out your partner at halftime for making you sweat so much!"

[Zoochy]

What if you summer partner is old school and only has a shirt with a collar?
Or a pocket?

[Rich]

I don't have a patch on a single shirt that I own.

You all should be jealous - it's the best system out there.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Rich

I don't have a patch on a single shirt that I own.

You all should be jealous - it's the best system out there.

patches aren't a problem for me, what would be a problem is trying to contract games out two years in advance.

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

patches aren't a problem for me, what would be a problem is trying to contract games out two years in advance.

I got offered games for 2017, 2018, and 2019 this year. I declined them all.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I got offered games for 2017, 2018, and 2019 this year. I declined them all.

That is just silly, not that you declined them, but that they are even looking to schedule officials that far out. 3-4 months should be more than enough for just about anything.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I got offered games for 2017, 2018, and 2019 this year. I declined them all.

At my level of "experience" (how's that for a euphemism), I could be dead by 2019. Am I right Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Zoochy

What if you summer partner is old school and only has a shirt with a collar? Or a pocket?

How about ... wait for it ... a belt?

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by Zoochy

What if you summer partner is old school and only has a shirt with a collar?
Or a pocket?

Originally Posted by BillyMac

How about ... wait for it ... a belt?

Hey, even I have my limits

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JetMetFan

I'm not sure about the "target" part of things but I know what I was taught: Match what your partner is wearing. The only situation where I'm lax on that is at camps since you never know what the other folks will have with them.

The way they put it to us: "If it's an outdoor summer game and your partner only has long pants, you put on long pants...then cuss out your partner at halftime for making you sweat so much!"

The "target" comment comes from experience. It's not every game, but I've noticed that one partner or the other can get all the "abuse" when only one has the IAABO patch on.

Either you're perceived as the rookie who needs to "go to school", or you're the veteran who needs to take care of his partner.

I learned it was just easier to match.