can't get games

[BornToReferee]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Then A) Why would you ever expect to work for this guy again and
B) Why would you WANT to work for this guy again.

I have no other options. I love to ump....locally. I'm thinking I need to figure out how to take his job away so I can get back into the mix.

I want to compete for the job.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

I have no other options. I love to ump....locally. I'm thinking I need to figure out how to take his job away so I can get back into the mix.

I want to compete for the job.

You have options. You were given one and you said you would never do that. You can't say you have no options when you discard the options when they are presented.

Like I said, you need to decide what you want... does your need for "justice" outweigh your desire to work.

Frankly, with all the responses so far it occurs to me that there's more behind this, and perhaps you've already been a thorn in people's side in the past. If true, this would explain the assignor's seemingly overly harsh response. Perhaps this was his final straw with you, or he was looking for a reason to close the book on you.

Or maybe I'm wrong.

In any case - good luck, I think you'll need it.

[Andy]

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.

[BornToReferee]

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.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

Honestly I'm pissed.

You do one honest oversight and it's all over. It wasn't a blatant skipping out. I had reservations about the games all along. I had other work matters that apparently go me sidetracked. I followed up with both the coach and the assignor. I brought the matter to his attention immediately after refusing the games because I could not get the liability issue resolved in time.

How many other umpires has he placed in this unsanctioned league? He won't talk to me.

I'm not apologizing to the guy again, anymore than Sir William Wallace is going to apologize to Longshanks (Braveheart movie).

It's his job to stay on top of insurance issues and not pushing that matter of to the newcomer. If he's making the new guys doiing that important stuff, then what exactly do board members do that's different from the newcomers?

Again, one oversight and it's over. I busted him on something serious.

Ya know, this conversation, so far reminds me of some a conversation I was having with an umpire while we were resting between games.
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"

[BornToReferee]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

Ya know, this conversation, so far reminds me of some a conversation I was having with an umpire while we were resting between games.
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"

Back at ya. Have you read the biography of Steve Jobs? You want someone on the board that doesn't protect his fellow (newcomer) comrades?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

Back at ya. Have you read the biography of Steve Jobs? You want someone on the board that doesn't protect his fellow (newcomer) comrades?

What board?

[chapmaja]

I am making my comment from the assignor's point of view, since I do assign another sport (non-softball), for a HS league in my area.

The assignments had been accepted, and he heard no additional word from you stating an issue. The DAY OF THE GAME, you were called and then you notified them you were not doing the game.

While you may have a legit basis for not doing the game, the fact you accepted and declined the day of the game, without a reasonable reason does two things. One, if causes a problem for the assignor, who now has to scramble to get a replacement. Second, it may cause a problem for the teams if a) no replacement is found or b) they have already processed payment for you. When you piss off the assignor and the teams, things generally don't go well.

Now, from an assignors position. I have had officials fail to show up for agreed upon games previously. One of them is still working for me, while another is no longer on my list. The one who is still working for me has a long history of working well as an official. The other was removed after he missed a meet, which was added to turning back two assignments for the fall season, and missing a contest I was supposed to work with him.

I think filing a lawsuit over this would be wrong. You need to get the liability issues straightened out, get liability insurance to cover you for games outside this organization, and attempted to repair a fractured relationship with the assignor and teams.


Filing a lawsuit will only accomplish one thing. It will end any potential chance you have of working games for this assignor ever again. I know when officials complain about not getting assignments from me, they are moved farther down the list for available contests. If any filed lawsuits, they would be off my list in a heartbeat. AS the assignor it is my job to put the officials who I feel are best suited to work these contests on these contests. If you show you are unwilling to work with me, and choose to file a lawsuit, you have proven to me you are not willing to be a team player, and I only want team players working for me.