can't get games

[Insane Blue]

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

There's a monopoly in my area. I would have to road-trip it out of town to do games. It would then become a feasibility issue.

I live in So. Cal where you have the complete alphabet of tournaments including some you may have never heard of.
I travel every weekend to work tournaments because I like to work good competitive tournaments versus the local ones that may not be so competitive. As far as leagues and HS I have traveled upwards of 85 miles one way to work a games. Granted they pay travel so I basically get $100 for those games. If you do not want to travel then you need to get out now.

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

I'm aware of various companies that can cover me...for another outlay of money of course. The concern here is not getting games and what is going overboard on something they should be up on....with them being glib about it and refusing to assign me games, and passing it all off as poor customer service on my part.



That's true for secondary health insurance but not liability coverage if you get sued. I know that for a fact because I contacted the very claims people about that.

As for Insurance I have ASA and ASA optional coverage, NASO, and Volleyball insurance through my unit. yes I am over covered but for the $!00 extra I pay every year I don't have to worry as much. ( I still am very wary of getting sued though.) I am covered for all sports through NASO no matter what Alphabet I an working.

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

I've done my research. My experience in doing USSF soccer is what make the red light go off in my head about liability coverage in the first place. We were warned in USSF soccer not to ref games on your own between teams not registered with USSF because the liability insurance isn't covered.

I agree you should not work games if you are not covered.

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

Monopoly in my town. One guy does all of the assigning and I come to find out he has no tentative plans to give me any games....hence the desire to possibly sue him.

I think you're missing the point. I should not have to go to these extremes nor should I have to get beat up for refusing games for an issue that would have been detrimental to my personal possessions if I get sued. No apology on their part whatsoever and no desire on their part to repair the working relationship. They hold all of the cards ...so far.

Then you need to call him and get on the same page. I am Assuming you are talking ASA but who knows I do not have to worry as I am covered by NASO for any games I work.

[BornToReferee]

Originally Posted by Insane Blue

Then you need to call him and get on the same page. I am Assuming you are talking ASA but who knows I do not have to worry as I am covered by NASO for any games I work.

Not sure phoning the assigner will help matters. I already explained my position by way of email to him and he doesn't reply back...and I've done it respectfully (level headed) in my email words.

His position will probably be, "you backed out of some games without notice, and that trumps your concern about liability insurance."

Not sure how to respond to a forecasted response like that especially when the local president agrees with him "it wasn't good customer service to back out."

The state I'm talking about is not a warm weather state whereby softball can be played all year long. We are looking at 12 more weeks of play at most with the last 4 weeks reserved for experienced umpires to do the playoffs which puts me out of the picture.

If I have to go over their heads to get justice it could take weeks cutting into the remaining 8 weeks of the season I could ump, right? Even if I win my grievance I still have to work with them to get games, etc.

To make matters worse, these same two guys perform the same task while school is in session in the (fill-in-the-blank state) High School Athletic Association. I have to deal with them in two separate organizations.

[Robmoz]

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

'...If I have to go over their heads to get justice it could take weeks cutting into the remaining 8 weeks of the season I could ump, right? Even if I win my grievance I still have to work with them to get games, etc.

To make matters worse, these same two guys perform the same task while school is in session in the (fill-in-the-blank state) High School Athletic Association. I have to deal with them in two separate organizations.

Justice may be swift but it most likely will not be served as you think.

Every assigner (myself included) at every level I have ever worked has usually been very reasonable, understanding of circumstances, fair and firm when needed, and generally are "good people"; they didn't get to be assigners by being jerks...afterall, they NEED officials but even the most desperate assigner would not want to work with someone that makes their life miserable. Take the high road here and make a phone call to him, be humble, build a bridge, give him a chance or a reason to change his mind to reconsider.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

If I have to go over their heads to get justice it could take weeks cutting into the remaining 8 weeks of the season I could ump, right? Even if I win my grievance I still have to work with them to get games, etc.

Get Justice? Hmmmm.

I think you need to decide what you want. If you want "justice", do one thing. If you just want to work, do the opposite. You're not going to get both here.

My suggestion to go "over their head" was because you said they are assigning unsanctioned events under the moniker of some National organization... if they are doing to --- the organization is not going to like that. Assuming what you've told us is true, what they are doing is wrong, and it needs to be stopped.

We had a similar situation somewhat near me - it did not take long for it to get out that the National Organization had nothing whatsoever to do with this guy, and numerous problems have arisen from him - but NO respected official for 100 miles around will work for this guy anymore.

But don't do this if you're expecting to work for these guys again.

[Floyd P]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Get Justice? Hmmmm.



My suggestion to go "over their head" was because you said they are assigning unsanctioned events under the moniker of some National organization... if they are doing to --- the organization is not going to like that. Assuming what you've told us is true, what they are doing is wrong, and it needs to be stopped.

Absolutely... if its an organized league or games being played then SOMEONE has to be sanctioning it, I find it really hard to believe that any field owner would allow teams to be playing on their field without some type of insurance, with that being said most cities/schools only recognize National associtions with insurances and CERTIFIED officials working the games.

Somethings fishy here and we're not on the lake

[KJUmp]

If you had paid the $110 annual fee to NASO, which probably better than 90% of the members who post her regularly belong to, you would have had absolutely no insurance/liability concerns, worked your assigned games, been well on your way to building a schedule with this particular assigner, and had a tax deduction to boot.

NASO membership is the best deal going for any serious sports official. I don't have worry about 'squat' regarding insurance etc. when I'm on my way to any softball or basketball assignment, meeting, or camp no matter what sanctioning body is involved.

Just my two cents.

[Multiple Sports]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

If you had paid the $110 annual fee to NASO, which probably better than 90% of the members who post her regularly belong to, you would have had absolutely no insurance/liability concerns, worked your assigned games, been well on your way to building a schedule with this particular assigner, and had a tax deduction to boot.

NASO membership is the best deal going for any serious sports official. I don't have worry about 'squat' regarding insurance etc. when I'm on my way to any softball or basketball assignment, meeting, or camp no matter what sanctioning body is involved.

Just my two cents.

Great summarization of how most of us feel......can't be said any better!!!!!

[REFANDUMP]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

If you had paid the $110 annual fee to NASO, which probably better than 90% of the members who post her regularly belong to, you would have had absolutely no insurance/liability concerns, worked your assigned games, been well on your way to building a schedule with this particular assigner, and had a tax deduction to boot.

NASO membership is the best deal going for any serious sports official. I don't have worry about 'squat' regarding insurance etc. when I'm on my way to any softball or basketball assignment, meeting, or camp no matter what sanctioning body is involved.

Just my two cents.

Since I'm not a NASO member, I don't know the answer to this question, which I don't know has been answered throughout this whole thread. If this tournament was totally unsanctioned, would NASO insurance have covered any problems if an umpire was working ???

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by REFANDUMP

Since I'm not a NASO member, I don't know the answer to this question, which I don't know has been answered throughout this whole thread. If this tournament was totally unsanctioned, would NASO insurance have covered any problems if an umpire was working ???

Any injury problems? Yes.

Any problems arising from arrogant rookie being a thorn in an assignor's side? Sadly, no.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by REFANDUMP

Since I'm not a NASO member, I don't know the answer to this question, which I don't know has been answered throughout this whole thread. If this tournament was totally unsanctioned, would NASO insurance have covered any problems if an umpire was working ???

Yes, as long as the tournament was being run by a recognized sports organization, league, or association... (ie: not a pick-up game). Traveling to the game, working the game, traveling home from the game., and the coverage goes far beyond injury. Think of a reason(s) you could be sued as an official, and NASO insurance covers you.