Organizations

Az.Ump · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2011, 02:45pm

“Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help! I'm being repressed!”

Good luck with the politics and remember to duck when the shizzle flies.

Paul

RKBUmp · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2011, 03:51pm

I see someone is watching Monty Python today also..

Az.Ump · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2011, 04:25pm

No just doing chores. It just reminded me of the local drama. Sometimes all you can do is laugh.

“My philosophy, like color television, is all there in black and white”

Paul

LIUmp · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2011, 07:29pm

Okay...any one else have any advice or can shed some light on how it works where you live? I appreciate the duck comment as I am doing a lot of that lately. But I am also looking for insight here. So what would you do? I don't want to be making an uninformed decision. I really need the help.

Az.Ump · #5 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2011, 08:30pm

LIBlueASA

None of us know the local politics and if we did PM, email or in person would be preferred over a public forum. So advice would have to be generic. In no particular order.
1) It is a small universe in umpiring, so pay attention to what you say. Say nothing that you would not want everyone else to hear.
2) Honor your commitments. If you take an assignment for one group do not beg off and take another.
3) Be honest. If you are doing games for one group and are asked be truthful.
4) Be a great umpire and work tirelessly at improving. Be in high demand for your skills.
5) Support the people who have helped and mentored you. Again if it comes up as to why be honest. Any competing organization should respect your loyalty to those who have helped you. If the situation changes and you have to switch they can count on the same loyalty. If they can’t respect that, it probably tells you more about them than they want you to know.
6) It’s a free country and you can work wherever you want. Be suspicious of anyone who has an issue with it.
7) Know you own goals and know the path that leads you there. If you are forced to make compromises only you can determine if they are worth it.
8) Politics suck unless you are a politician.
9) Have fun otherwise do something else.
10) Good luck.

Paul

SC Ump · #6 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 23, 2011, 09:10pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Az.Ump

1) Say nothing...
2)
3) Be honest.
...

And when in doubt, go with #1.

But seriously, the way it is around here is...

Unless you are planning on trying to move up in one of the organizations, to become assignor or UIC or something like that, I would not worry much about the "stick to your base group" mentality. Most all the seasoned rec officials work multiple organizations. However, I find it best to just not mentioned to assigners of one organization if I have assignments with another. If I am not available on a particular weekend, I just say I am not available. For the tournament ball, and since teams sign with multiple organizations, too, the assignments with competing organizations usually do occur on the same weekends.

I say the above but if I am going to be fully forthcoming must tell you my actions would indicate otherwise. After many years in umpiring, I personally have chosen to work with only one organization. I got tired of paying so many registration fees and playing politics with so many different assigners. The assigners usually give preference to the people that (1) are always available & experienced, (2) are always available & inexperienced, (3) schmooze & pester them often, (4) everyone else on their list of those paying a registration fee. I hated when I would fall from category #1 to #4 if I missed even one weekend tournament.

HugoTafurst · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 25, 2011, 04:12pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Az.Ump

LIBlueASA

None of us know the local politics and if we did PM, email or in person would be preferred over a public forum. So advice would have to be generic. In no particular order.
1) It is a small universe in umpiring, so pay attention to what you say. Say nothing that you would not want everyone else to hear.
2) Honor your commitments. If you take an assignment for one group do not beg off and take another.
3) Be honest. If you are doing games for one group and are asked be truthful.
4) Be a great umpire and work tirelessly at improving. Be in high demand for your skills.
5) Support the people who have helped and mentored you. Again if it comes up as to why be honest. Any competing organization should respect your loyalty to those who have helped you. If the situation changes and you have to switch they can count on the same loyalty. If they can’t respect that, it probably tells you more about them than they want you to know.
6) It’s a free country and you can work wherever you want. Be suspicious of anyone who has an issue with it.
7) Know you own goals and know the path that leads you there. If you are forced to make compromises only you can determine if they are worth it.
8) Politics suck unless you are a politician.
9) Have fun otherwise do something else.
10) Good luck.

Paul

nice