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.