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Your other option, and it would be a lot of work, is to form your own officials association and directly compete with him.
If this guy is as much of a jerk and hardliner as you say, then it is likely he has pissed off other umpires and officials in the area that may be open to joining a new association. We (umpires) always say that we are independent contractors and are free to work, or not work, for whoever we want. However, we often conveniently forget that the assignors are independent too and are free to hire, or not hire, whoever they want. Legal action would more than likely be pointless. |
The only thing I can think of at this time is to start my own association from scratch perhaps with an already established national fast-pitch organization that is their competitor and begin selling the association to some existing leagues.
That's the only thing I can think of at this time. |
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There's no prior history with me. Those guys liked me...and I liked them too. |
Do you suppose the association (not saying what that is) I'm currently registered with would be open to having two associations in the same area...somewhat competing against each other?
What about carving up the city into sections whereby I would do the assigning for some small area, while the existing group does the rest? You suppose that would fly? |
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I would think if they truly need volunteers at least the offer for man-power would be desirable. The key here is when they start to ask the question, "why I would want to do it?" By the way, since we are on the subject of assigning games, are those volunteer positions or is there a little pay involved with that too? |
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That said --- how do you really think it's going to look when you approach the higher ups, saying, "Hi ... I'm a rookie that the other assignor has blackballed. I have no experience whatsoever umpiring and I've been to exactly one clinic - that one held locally. I'm completely ill-equipped to hold any clinics of my own and won't be for several years. I know about 6 umpires each of whom I've worked with once. I'd like to start up a new association and schedule some of the local leagues." At what point do you think they stop listening or start laughing. No offense... but take a step back and ask yourself honestly if this is a realistic proposal that anyone would take seriously. |
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I can assure you that running your own association, let alone being an assigner, is not as easy as you may think. Perhaps getting actively involved in the existing local association would bring more awareness if not valuable experience (or recognition) to you in a more positive manner.;) |
You're willing to set up your own association, but you weren't willing to spend about two or three game fees to obtain the appropriate insurance coverage so you could work for the existing association?? Wow.
You're a rookie umpire by your own admission, and you've managed to alienate yourself from the president and assignor of the association, as well as probably gained a reputation from at the very least one coach (who may very well inform other coaches) that you won't live up to your assignments. Even our most senior umpires in my association wouldn't be looked at favorably for future games. Honestly, if you really want to umpire softball, you may need to look into something outside of your town and start doing some serious driving. That, or just eat crow and apologize profusely to the association leadership. |
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I have no idea how much they get, but the game fees that our association negotiates with the various schools, leagues, and other organizations we provide our services to are docked a certain percentage to pay the assignor. For example, we may sign a contract with the XYZ Softball League that says each umpire gets $60 a game. But the umpire actually gets $55, with $2.50 going to the association and the other $2.50 going to the assignor. |
You're a rookie and your biggest concern is liability insurance?
Get an umbrella policy or join NASO. BTW, If I was the assignor I would probably (immediately) recognize you as a pain in the ass and wouldn't use you either. |
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There was no animosity in the days leading up to the games. |
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We were talking about our kids and how we were brought up... He said the best thing his dad ever asked hime was: "Are you prepared to accept the consequenses for being right" |
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I'm highly educated. I got transferable skills and comparable experiences. |
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