Severe Drop In Assignments

Camron Rust

BryanV21 wrote
On Twitter, I'm very outspoken about my dislike of Donald Trump. With politics being as partisan as they are nowadays, is there any chance those assignors like Trump and simply don't want to work with me for that reason?

Should I keep my mouth shut and hope for things to change? Should I email those assignors and ask? I don't want to annoy anyone, but this kinda sucks.

Perhaps it could be. I think that would be wrong.

I'd call them. Sometimes, assignors are just really busy and have a lot going on and missed you. I know in most areas, people are really shorthanded. If I were assigning, I certainly wouldn't shut someone out of games due to politics unless their politics were interfering with the ability to officiate in some extreme way...recognizable and drawing unwanted attention at games.

BryanV21

Camron Rust wrote
Perhaps it could be. I think that would be wrong.

I'd call them. Sometimes, assignors are just really busy and have a lot going on and missed you. I know in most areas, people are really shorthanded. If I were assigning, I certainly wouldn't shut someone out of games due to politics unless their politics were interfering with the ability to officiate in some extreme way...recognizable and drawing unwanted attention at games.

Another opinion from a well-respected official... thanks.

JRutledge

A lot of assumptions are being made.

Any of this could be possible, even the political post (either way). I think you need to actually talk to the assignor and ask them directly. You only use email to suggest you want to talk to them. Or you could wait to make sure there is any change on their part because of anything you might have done or not done. But do not go on assuming there is something specific to you. It could be there are more qualified guys and that hurts everyone to some extent.

Peace

Pantherdreams

JRutledge wrote
A lot of assumptions are being made.

True story. When I read the post title in my head I hyphenated drop-in. I thought this was going to be about emergency assignments to cover games in storms, or on islands or prop plane problems. Must be the Canadian . . .

BryanV21

I called one of them and left a message acknowledging that he's a busy man, so I apologized if he simply hasn't gotten around to assigning some basketball games (he assigns for soccer in the area too). However, I wanted to inquire about not getting any games from him this season. And if he had any advice for me.

We'll see how he responds.

Thanks again, guys.

BillyMac

BryanV21 wrote
I've sent emails ...

BillyMac wrote
Don't email. Call ...

JRutledge wrote
You only use email to suggest you want to talk to them.

BryanV21 wrote
I called one of them ...

I fully understand that the modern, twenty-first century method of communication is to email or text, but sometimes there's nothing better than an old fashioned, ear to ear, phone call. You don't have to use a rotary phone, or a land line phone, or a flip cell phone, go ahead and use one of those new fangled smart phones, but call, person to person (like we use to pay extra for in Ancient Times © Mark T. DeNucci, Sr., 2018).

scrounge

Having the luxury of being in the same area and knowing the same assignors personally as well, I would be absolutely shocked if politics played any role whatsoever unless there's something you've posted that would be inappropriate regardless of subject. I think the girls side is just slow this year, as may be the city.

BillyMac

scrounge wrote
Having the luxury of being in the same area and knowing the same assignors personally as well, I would be absolutely shocked if politics played any role whatsoever unless there's something you've posted that would be inappropriate regardless of subject. I think the girls side is just slow this year, as may be the city.

Maybe a possibility of a clerical error, or an oversight? Maybe the assigner hasn't received all the schedules from the athletic directors, they're later than normal, and he decided to give out incomplete, or partial assignments?

SNIPERBBB

Quietly ask around to the in-the-know guys in your association, stuff gets around if there is anything there to pass around.

If you think your politics is your problem, you could move to Athens and do all the games you like there...well theyd be OU intermurals and rec ball probably.

pizanno

BryanV21 wrote
I called one of them and left a message acknowledging that he's a busy man, so I apologized if he simply hasn't gotten around to assigning some basketball games (he assigns for soccer in the area too)...

Thanks again, guys.

Don't be so quick to apologize, make excuses for others, or jump to conclusions. Just state the reason for your call. Gathering and stating the facts, without regard to emotion or personalities, is a valuable trait in officiating.

I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation. Don't let doubt or insecurity creep into the conversation. Be strong and confident.

SC Official

Move to a state where games aren't assigned so far in advance. No one has any games yet in my state and won't until November most likely. 😛

But seriously, best of luck and be forthright.

The_Rookie

BryanV21 wrote
I don't know what to do, so I need some advice.

Mind you, I work in retail, so my work schedule keeps me from working pretty much any time except for when I'm already scheduled for a game. Which limits me to about 25-30 games a season.

But as of right now, when most league games have already been assigned (non-league games, at least around here, are scheduled closer to when the season starts), I only have 2 games. And those two games come from an assignor I've rarely worked for in the past, as two assignors regularly fill me up.

Call the assignor and pose the question. They should not be annoyed by it and it shows that you care. Checking the status is a normal thing as long as you are not a pest😉