can't get games

[Robmoz]

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

"...I accepted to do the games in the meantime and I told the assigner I'd do my own research to confirm whether umpire liability coverage is in effect for teams/leagues not registered with this well-known summer time national softball association that I have a umpire license with."

Perhaps mincing words here but accepted means accepted, there is no concept of "conditionally" here and you should have not initially accepted if you had any concerns. Now, there are times when you may have to turn back a game for various reasons which can drive your assignor crazy on short notice but usually not to the extent of "de-listing" you from his roster - unless habitual.

IMO, there is either more to the story or your assigner is really taking a hard line stance with weak justification.

Perhaps a follow up phone call to see if you can work out your differences of opinion, request a fresh "do-over", or to just beg for forgiveness citing your lack of experience in how the assigning expectations are administered. In any event, IF you want to work for this guy and its the only game in town then you will have to find a way to accommodate him. Monopolistic issue is not uncommon in many areas of the country across various sports; and it discourages people from getting into officiating - which is a shame.

Assigning is not an easy task and unfortunately some inconsiderate officials can ruin it for the whole roster by being double-bookers, or chronic tardy tales, or uniform derelicts, to the extent that the assigner has to apply harsh enforcement across the board. Usually, just a notice issued to the entire roster as a reminder about expectations suffices. Again, in this OP, I would agree that the punishment seems too harsh and that you should find a way to revisit the issue to work it out and learn from it....don't be stubborn and assuming that a phone call will be a waste of your time.

[BornToReferee]

Originally Posted by Robmoz

Again, in this OP, I would agree that the punishment seems too harsh and that you should find a way to revisit the issue to work it out and learn from it....don't be stubborn and assuming that a phone call will be a waste of your time.

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.

[MD Longhorn]

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.

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

I was liked by these two guys from the start. I even had an assessor watch me and formally email these two guys saying I did a really good job for my third game in the NFHS season. That's what got the ball rolling shortly thereafter when summer ball started. I was on an email of a few rookie umps being asked to umpire the league in question.

There's no prior history with me. Those guys liked me...and I liked them too.

[BornToReferee]

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?

[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?

[BornToReferee]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

What board?

Board = the folks that run the association

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BornToReferee

Board = the folks that run the association

I trying really hard not to pile on here...

But what did your comment have to do with Hugo's observation? Not following. The last 3 posts seem to be non sequitur time.