What would you have done?

[JaxRolo]

So over the last few weekends I have been traveling around working some major showcases, Perfect Game, etc. Pretty high level stuff.

 

I had another one setup this past weekend down in Vero Beach at Dodgertown. Some type of Championship.

 

Well my local assignor who I really upon for most of my games locally asked me if I would stay home this weekend and work a local (crappy ball) tournament for him.

 

Wanting to remain loyal and not get him mad I said I would stay and work at home.

 

Of course the South Florida Assignor wasn't to happy but said he would find someone else.

 

 

What would you have done?

[BigUmpire]

Dont bite the hand that feeds you the most beans.

[th3]

i think i lean towards sticking with the 1st assignment...your main guy should understand that

[Mr Umpire]

i think i lean towards sticking with the 1st assignment...your main guy should understand that

Agreed.  Once I take an assignment, I don't cancel for anyone for any reason.  I agreed to it so I have obligations to do it.  I only cancel for personal reasons and obligations.  The local assignor should have called first. 

[BigUmpire]

i think i lean towards sticking with the 1st assignment...your main guy should understand that

Ever been an assignor?

[ricka56]

But when I give availability to more than one assigner, it a first come first serve. When I get assignments from one, I immediately inform the other that I am no longer available to work his games. I don't tell them why I'm unavailable. If he's inclined to find out why, nothing I can do about that.

 

You don't want your local assigner mad at you, but if you did miss a w/e of working for him, he SHOULD get over it. Every area is different, but generally I believe that if you're a good/reliable umpire you shouldn't have a problem getting work.

[JaxRolo]

I has missed a few weekends with my local assignor already and he didn't mind. But this weekend he had a tournament and asked me to stay.

[Mr Umpire]

 

i think i lean towards sticking with the 1st assignment...your main guy should understand that

Ever been an assignor?

 

I am an independent contractor and any who work with me will have to understand that.  Every agreement I make is like signing a contract.  The only way it is broken is if I cannot do the game for some reason or the assignor cancels it.  Otherwise, everyone else's feelings mean nothing.

[BigUmpire]

 

 

i think i lean towards sticking with the 1st assignment...your main guy should understand that

Ever been an assignor?

 

I am an independent contractor and any who work with me will have to understand that.  Every agreement I make is like signing a contract.  The only way it is broken is if I cannot do the game for some reason or the assignor cancels it.  Otherwise, everyone else's feelings mean nothing.

 

Good luck.

[Mr Umpire]

 

 

 

i think i lean towards sticking with the 1st assignment...your main guy should understand that

Ever been an assignor?

 

I am an independent contractor and any who work with me will have to understand that.  Every agreement I make is like signing a contract.  The only way it is broken is if I cannot do the game for some reason or the assignor cancels it.  Otherwise, everyone else's feelings mean nothing.

 

Good luck.

 

I think over 20 years is enough of a standard not to need luck.

[BigUmpire]

 

 

 

 

i think i lean towards sticking with the 1st assignment...your main guy should understand that

Ever been an assignor?

 

I am an independent contractor and any who work with me will have to understand that.  Every agreement I make is like signing a contract.  The only way it is broken is if I cannot do the game for some reason or the assignor cancels it.  Otherwise, everyone else's feelings mean nothing.

 

Good luck.

 

I think over 20 years is enough of a standard not to need luck.

 

Agreed.

[Stan W.]

I have what I would refer to as my "Home Association" and their assignor...........I give them first shot at my open dates.......If I take a game from them, then I stick to it.....sometimes at my loss....If I don't have a game scheduled, I become an independent contractor. Then one of the 3 other associations that I work for can get me on a "first come - first served" basis...and If I take a game from them, then I stick to it too..

 

Ive never held the job as an assignor, but have filled in enough to know I don't want the job......I will say its a job where the personality/integrity/experience and reputation makes or breaks the deal for me....When you have a good one, its great....and I have had that experience in my time.....cancels/reassignments/mistakes/last minute favors are all taken with a rain of salt when you know the assignor is in your corner. And as in our avocation, timely communication is the key.....

 

Now, if the assignor proves he isn't worthy of trusting or loyalty, then they get bumped down or sometimes out.....I've already decided to drop an assignor for next year.....it just isn't worth it....communication is poor, wants blocked weekends which don't pan out or turn out to be not as advertised. More than I care to say he has called on game day and asked me to drop a game to do one of his....when he knows I dont do that,

[24sdad]

Jax, was your assignment in Fla the Perfect Game WWBA in Jupiter?  My son just returned from there.  He said they had different groups of partners every game and the umpiring was pretty damn good.

[th3]

 

i think i lean towards sticking with the 1st assignment...your main guy should understand that

Ever been an assignor?

 

not really...i help a few teams out..

[JaxRolo]

Jax, was your assignment in Fla the Perfect Game WWBA in Jupiter?  My son just returned from there.  He said they had different groups of partners every game and the umpiring was pretty damn good.

That was it!

[grayhawk]

I would have stuck with whoever assigned me first.  I know an assignor's job can be difficult, but nobody should expect you to drop another assignment to take theirs.

[24sdad]

 

Jax, was your assignment in Fla the Perfect Game WWBA in Jupiter?  My son just returned from there.  He said they had different groups of partners every game and the umpiring was pretty damn good.

That was it!

 

He played for CBA Marucci (all 2015 grads from So Cal).  I showed him your picture and asked if he remembered you and he said "how would I know, you all look alike to players."  Damn kids.

[24sdad]

 

Jax, was your assignment in Fla the Perfect Game WWBA in Jupiter?  My son just returned from there.  He said they had different groups of partners every game and the umpiring was pretty damn good.

That was it!

 

Jax, that is probably the premier level, upper class HS age event in the country.  Good job on your invite and assignment!

[JaxRolo]

Have done

 

 

 

Jax, was your assignment in Fla the Perfect Game WWBA in Jupiter?  My son just returned from there.  He said they had different groups of partners every game and the umpiring was pretty damn good.

That was it!

 

Jax, that is probably the premier level, upper class HS age event in the country.  Good job on your invite and assignment!

 

Thanks. Have doe several Perfect game tournaments. Top Notch!

[NAUmpires]

I've done some assigning, and I can tell you that nothing will get you dropped from my list faster than taking an assignment from me, and then giving it back, especially to take another assignment.

 

Once you take the assignment, you own it. Now, if you come to me and say "Look, I just got offered an opportunity to do this great assignment, but I haven't confirmed it yet. First I went and reached out to guys I know you use, and UMP X is available and can take my assignment, are you OK with that ?" - then NO PROBLEM.

 

But, email me or call me and tell me "Sorry, can't do it now" and later I find out you dumped me for something that came along later ?

 

You are on the list, and not the good list.

[mstaylor]

I am a firm believer in ethics, that to means that if you take an assignment you keep it unless you talk to your assigner, with enough time, and explain you have a better assignment, closer assignment, whatever, and ask if he can cover you. If he can't, keep it. In the OP it is a case of Jax's normal assigner asking him to downgrade. I can't imagine him being upset that if you tell him you are already booked and don't feel comfortable kicking the other assigner to the curb. As an assigner I certainly wouldn't want that done to me so I would not ask someone to do it to someone else. I do know assigners that believe you should work for them exclusively, or at least primarily. They believe even if you close out a date, if he calls you go. I believe that is a horrible thing to ask so I don't work for him. I could get good games and make a ton more money if I would. I think if he has no ethics when it comes to assignments then how likely he will have any when it comes time to pay. I happen to know that is also a problem.