everyone probably has "this guy"

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Constantly worried about game fees? Gives you turnbacks after specifically telling you he's available? Hmmm. I know this stereotype. May I make a few more assumptions?

Does he routinely show up late, or just in the nick of time?
Is his gear shabby or uniforms wrinkled?
Is he a 'not-that-good' official? Overly casual with coaches/players off the field, and over-officious on the field?

Yeah, I've worked with "that guy" several times across the country.

I can't say all your assumptions are valid in this case. He officiates football (which he loves) and lately lacrosse. He's worked softball for maybe 5 or 6 years now and his skill level is appropriate with his experience there. I wouldn't say he's "overly casual" w/ coaches/players, but he knows many of them from his other sports connections. Not over-officious in softball, perhaps leans a bit too far in the opposite direction.

Overall, he's a competent official when he's there. But there are often times excuses why he can't work a lower paying game/league or a turn back of games so he can jump to something more lucrative. Definitely not a "loyal to our association" guy.

[agr8zebra]

If it were me I would have evrryine sign a contract st the beginning of each season. The contr as ct would state thst assigner will assign 2 weeks out, those to be assigned are to provide available two weeks out when asked, then an official is given one turn back mulligan, then the first turnback there after is $5 bucks, then $10, then $20 ..... If money counts it would send a message ...

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

I can't say all your assumptions are valid in this case. He officiates football (which he loves) and lately lacrosse. He's worked softball for maybe 5 or 6 years now and his skill level is appropriate with his experience there. I wouldn't say he's "overly casual" w/ coaches/players, but he knows many of them from his other sports connections. Not over-officious in softball, perhaps leans a bit too far in the opposite direction.

Overall, he's a competent official when he's there. But there are often times excuses why he can't work a lower paying game/league or a turn back of games so he can jump to something more lucrative. Definitely not a "loyal to our association" guy.

Guys like this normally manage to piss off the wrong person and realize their mistake within a few seasons. Normally it takes getting dropped from an officials list / assigner for them to realize the errors of their ways.

I worked with a guy who is on a lot of schools do not assign list. Prior to using an assigner in the sports he works, he would regularly pull the double book, then take the higher paying assignment crap. He would get a replacement for himself when possible. He got bit several times however because he could not a replacement for himself, which did not go over well.

One other thing that officials like this need to realize. Assigners talk, and AD's talk. If an assigner is having trouble with an official, word gets around.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

Guys like this normally manage to piss off the wrong person and realize their mistake within a few seasons. Normally it takes getting dropped from an officials list / assigner for them to realize the errors of their ways.

I worked with a guy who is on a lot of schools do not assign list. Prior to using an assigner in the sports he works, he would regularly pull the double book, then take the higher paying assignment crap. He would get a replacement for himself when possible. He got bit several times however because he could not a replacement for himself, which did not go over well.

One other thing that officials like this need to realize. Assigners talk, and AD's talk. If an assigner is having trouble with an official, word gets around.

I assign. When someone gets off a game and I get "the feeling", I email a bunch of the other local assigners and ask if they've assigned the person to a game. I've caught 2 or 3 out like that over the last 2 years.

But the best one was when a guy dumped one of my games (cause he had something important come up) and showed up on the news highlights working another game, which I caught while at the bar after working a game myself. That person hasn't worked a game for me since.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Rich

I assign. When someone gets off a game and I get "the feeling", I email a bunch of the other local assigners and ask if they've assigned the person to a game. I've caught 2 or 3 out like that over the last 2 years.

But the best one was when a guy dumped one of my games (cause he had something important come up) and showed up on the news highlights working another game, which I caught while at the bar after working a game myself. That person hasn't worked a game for me since.

I had a swimming official (one of the sports I assign), who called me the day of a meet saying he had a family commitment come up and was unable to work his meet that evening (luckily I was able to cover it myself, as it was a rare day off). This guy was already going to be on my off list anyway due to complaints about and personal observations of his officiating. What he didn't tell me was that his commitment was going to the Red Wings game that night. After my game I went home and caught the second and third periods of the game. What a shock it was to see him (with his kids) shown on the TV screen when they showed fans in the stands. He was correct, it was a family commitment, it's just one I would not say is an excuse to get out of officiating.

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

I can't say all your assumptions are valid in this case. He officiates football (which he loves) and lately lacrosse. He's worked softball for maybe 5 or 6 years now and his skill level is appropriate with his experience there. I wouldn't say he's "overly casual" w/ coaches/players, but he knows many of them from his other sports connections. Not over-officious in softball, perhaps leans a bit too far in the opposite direction.

Overall, he's a competent official when he's there. But there are often times excuses why he can't work a lower paying game/league or a turn back of games so he can jump to something more lucrative. Definitely not a "loyal to our association" guy.

In all honesty, I wasn't trying to pick on your "that guy". I was just filling out the stereotype of "those guys" that I've worked with. In this case, he simply seems loyal to the Almighty Dollar.