Too many show up...including assigner!

[Matt S.]

This is a career (16 years) first:

I show up to ref a pair of college summer league games, and in walk three other officials...including the man who assigns the league. He tells me, 'you know you're not supposed to be here.' I show him his email to me, he apologizes after realizing he messed up, tells me 'he'll take care of me later this summer,' and proceeds to work the games.

It's only 2 games, it's just $40, and I live close by, but it just felt lousy. Would any of you pushed back? I'm new to the area and certainly don't want to burn any bridges.

[SCalScoreKeeper]

I'm not sure how I'd sit on this one.Did you have to ask for time off work from your regular job to work this league only to have your assignor take your spot? Then I'd be a little miffed even if I did live nearby.

[BayStateRef]

No way would I push back. Accept his word that he will take care of you. But I also would be looking for other assignors who may be more organized and who may have had the class to recognize their mistake and give up their fee so you could work the games you were assigned.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

No way would I push back. Accept his word that he will take care of you. But I also would be looking for other assignors who may be more organized and who may have had the class to recognize their mistake and give up their fee so you could work the games you were assigned.

This. One hundred times this. But I've got a feeling I wouldn't be available for him later in the summer. He's shown that his word is meaningless.

[Matt S.]

First, I appreciate and respect all your comments.

I got an email from him this morning--apologizing again for his mess up--and offering me three games next Thursday. (he's basically assigning on the fly)

As easy as it would be to say no, he is on the same college staff as me--and our college assignor is the one who sent off an email blast saying to contact him to work this league.

Long story short, if I wasn't trying to meet the officiating community around here, I wouldn't bother taking the games...and I may not in the future...but for a one shot deal (and a good way to get ready for camp), I figured there was no harm in running away from him just yet.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Matt S.

First, I appreciate and respect all your comments.

I got an email from him this morning--apologizing again for his mess up--and offering me three games next Thursday. (he's basically assigning on the fly)

As easy as it would be to say no, he is on the same college staff as me--and our college assignor is the one who sent off an email blast saying to contact him to work this league.

Long story short, if I wasn't trying to meet the officiating community around here, I wouldn't bother taking the games...and I may not in the future...but for a one shot deal (and a good way to get ready for camp), I figured there was no harm in running away from him just yet.

When I moved to a new city a few years ago, I took all the games I could get for the same reason. I eventually dropped a couple of assigners. You eventually figure out which BS you need to put up with, and which BS you can part with.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Matt S.

First, I appreciate and respect all your comments.

I got an email from him this morning--apologizing again for his mess up--and offering me three games next Thursday. (he's basically assigning on the fly)

As easy as it would be to say no, he is on the same college staff as me--and our college assignor is the one who sent off an email blast saying to contact him to work this league.

Long story short, if I wasn't trying to meet the officiating community around here, I wouldn't bother taking the games...and I may not in the future...but for a one shot deal (and a good way to get ready for camp), I figured there was no harm in running away from him just yet.

Sounds like you are handling things quite well. Work these games for this guy and build your reputation in the area as a hard-working, got-their-backs kind of an official and just let this one go away. The guy screwed up (twice) but you making a stink about it would really do you no good. Once you are "established" in the area, then you can be a little more choosy.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Sounds like you are handling things quite well. Work these games for this guy and build your reputation in the area as a hard-working, got-their-backs kind of an official and just let this one go away. The guy screwed up (twice) but you making a stink about it would really do you no good. Once you are "established" in the area, then you can be a little more choosy.

Excellent advice. Handling this stuff professionally is important.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by Matt S.

As easy as it would be to say no, he is on the same college staff as me--and our college assignor is the one who sent off an email blast saying to contact him to work this league.

It sounds to me like he's trying to make amends. Saying "no" only risks creating hard feelings. No-one needs that.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bainsey

It sounds to me like he's trying to make amends. Saying "no" only risks creating hard feelings. No-one needs that.

Maybe, but IMO he's doing it wrong.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Matt S.

First, I appreciate and respect all your comments.

I got an email from him this morning--apologizing again for his mess up--and offering me three games next Thursday. (he's basically assigning on the fly)

As easy as it would be to say no, he is on the same college staff as me--and our college assignor is the one who sent off an email blast saying to contact him to work this league.

Long story short, if I wasn't trying to meet the officiating community around here, I wouldn't bother taking the games...and I may not in the future...but for a one shot deal (and a good way to get ready for camp), I figured there was no harm in running away from him just yet.

The good political thing is to work the games he gave you. It really makes no sense to keep a grudge over something he quickly is apologizing for. And he sounds more like a fellow official, not just some big time assignor. These guys make mistakes from time to time. Again, chalk it up to the game and move on with your life.

Peace

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Matt S.

This is a career (16 years) first:

I show up to ref a pair of college summer league games, and in walk three other officials...including the man who assigns the league. He tells me, 'you know you're not supposed to be here.' I show him his email to me, he apologizes after realizing he messed up, tells me 'he'll take care of me later this summer,' and proceeds to work the games.

It's only 2 games, it's just $40, and I live close by, but it just felt lousy. Would any of you pushed back? I'm new to the area and certainly don't want to burn any bridges.

The fact that he worked instead of you tells me all I need to know about this guy.

What else does he assign basketball-wise in the area?

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

The fact that he worked instead of you tells me all I need to know about this guy.

Yup.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

The fact that he worked instead of you tells me all I need to know about this guy.

What else does he assign basketball-wise in the area?

BNR:

I agree with you 100%. As the assigner he should have honored his email and gone home.

I don't know the assigner can take care of him later in the season because any games he assigns to Matt S. would have been assigned to him anyway. I hope everybody understands my reasoning. The fact that Matt S. has a copy of the email means the email is a contract and Matt S. could force the issue about being paid for the games no matter how many more games the assigner gives him the rest of the Summer.

Furthermore, if the assigner was contracted, then email could be interpreted as a contract between Matt S. and the league could press the issue with the league to be paid by the league.

Either way the assigner is a real piece of work.

MTD, Sr.

[JRutledge]

Chalk it up to the "game." There are always people that do not have the right values or the same values others have. I would just make a mental note of this, go home and the next time this guy wanted my help, I would not be as available to that assignor. Now unless that person is a major assignor or your main assignor that might be another issue, but around here I would be "on to the next."

Peace