Role of assignor?

[thunder6661980]

Hi guys,

 

My men's league has an opening for a new assignor and I have decided to apply. Being in Canada, things are done differently then in the US I'm sure. Last year, our assignor only assigned games. Not a lot of communication with him beside that. We used a software to enter our availabilities and then he assigned the games.

 

I wonder what your assignors are doing? Since I don't have any experience as assignor, anything you could share would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[Umpire in Chief]

Assignor is one role I would not want... Good luck.

[Thunderheads]

Hi guys,

 

My men's league has an opening for a new assignor and I have decided to apply. Being in Canada, things are done differently then in the US I'm sure. Last year, our assignor only assigned games. Not a lot of communication with him beside that. We used a software to enter our availabilities and then he assigned the games.

 

I wonder what your assignors are doing? Since I don't have any experience as assignor, anything you could share would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

Sorry to come across the wrong way, but, ....if you don't have any experience as an assignor, why apply? 

[DVA7130]

Because all assignors were born out of the womb experienced?

[Umpire in Chief]

I think it can be done w/o experience, but it would take a level of patience, organization and inter-personal skills I do not possess.

 

Assigning is the toughest, most unappreciated position in officiating I can imagine. 

[umpstu]

Our assignor is not allowed to post schedules until the board reviews and approves the assignments. This is done this way so if the assignor is also an umpire that he does not assign himself critical games believing his own abilities. Such as not realizing he is 72 years old and cannot move any faster than a slug and his strike zone has become horrible.

[JaxRolo]

Hi guys,   My men's league has an opening for a new assignor and I have decided to apply. Being in Canada, things are done differently then in the US I'm sure. Last year, our assignor only assigned games. Not a lot of communication with him beside that. We used a software to enter our availabilities and then he assigned the games.   I wonder what your assignors are doing? Since I don't have any experience as assignor, anything you could share would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks!

Sorry to come across the wrong way, but, ....if you don't have any experience as an assignor, why apply?  How do you get experience if you don't do it?!?

[mjr_2013]

"Men's league" isn't very descriptive. We could be talking about five umps who rotate games and all co-exist just fine… We could be talking about a massive 300 member association of guys all competing for the top games.

 

The first is the one you want to become an assigner on.

 

I'm an assigner this year for the local Little League. It's my fist year, and I have twenty or so umps. It should be a challenge, but I'm looking forward to it.

 

IMO, there are good, bad, and ugly assigners… The good care about the quality on the field, and evaluate what they're assigning… The bad want a good product on the field, but don't put forth the effort to find the good ones, and commonly just give the same guys the good assignments over and over… The ugly might as well use a random number generator.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

Assigning is no easy task. You have to consider the abilities and dispositions of each of your umpires.You have to have the ability to put together effective teams of umpires, and be able to manage the individuals who don't work well with particular others. Then the issue of team scratches, if allowed. Making sure teams don't see the same guys over and over.

 As assigner, do you also have to pay the officials ? If so, do you have a method or plan in place ? These are all issues you must be prepared to face, if you step into that role.

[BillKen]

 

Assigning is the toughest, most unappreciated position in officiating I can imagine. 

Why do you think that is?

 

My theory is because most officials (all sports) think they are better than they really are.  It takes a decent amount of ego to do what we do and if we didn't believe in ourselves, we wouldn't be very good at all.  So as I've gotten older, I have found that there is a very thin line between having the confidence that it takes to handle yourself in the heat of the battle, paired with the humility needed to know when to admit that you might not be ready for another level.  If we are honest with ourselves, we have all felt that we were better suited for a big game that went to someone else (via the assignor)...and felt some level of frustration with not being given that opportunity.  On the other hand, I don't know very many guys who tell war stories about screwing up a game because they were in over their head.

 

It is the assignors job to make everyone happy...a position that is nearly impossible.  If he doesn't send guys that are good enough, the coaches are not happy.  If he sends officials to games that aren't challenging and competitive, they aren't happy.  And if he is an official himself, he is further scrutinized for any game he takes for himself regardless of his ability.  The worst assignor is one who is on a power trip and is not approachable.  Everyone deserves to know where they stand.  

 

If you take this job OP, always be approachable and honest with people.  It will help you in the long run if people know that they can trust you to  

[umpstu]

 

 

Assigning is the toughest, most unappreciated position in officiating I can imagine. 

Why do you think that is?

 

My theory is because most officials (all sports) think they are better than they really are.  It takes a decent amount of ego to do what we do and if we didn't believe in ourselves, we wouldn't be very good at all.  So as I've gotten older, I have found that there is a very thin line between having the confidence that it takes to handle yourself in the heat of the battle, paired with the humility needed to know when to admit that you might not be ready for another level.  If we are honest with ourselves, we have all felt that we were better suited for a big game that went to someone else (via the assignor)...and felt some level of frustration with not being given that opportunity.  On the other hand, I don't know very many guys who tell war stories about screwing up a game because they were in over their head.

 

It is the assignors job to make everyone happy...a position that is nearly impossible.  If he doesn't send guys that are good enough, the coaches are not happy.  If he sends officials to games that aren't challenging and competitive, they aren't happy.  And if he is an official himself, he is further scrutinized for any game he takes for himself regardless of his ability.  The worst assignor is one who is on a power trip and is not approachable.  Everyone deserves to know where they stand.  

 

If you take this job OP, always be approachable and honest with people.  It will help you in the long run if people know that they can trust you to  

 

 

[BigUmpire]

Umpire at the first of the season: " I need all of the games I can get!"

 

Same umpire 2 months into season: " Nope, can't call Monday or Wednesday and call me on Friday and I will let you know how many games I can do on Saturday."

 

Same umpire 3 months into season: No answer when called

[Thunderheads]

 

Hi guys,   My men's league has an opening for a new assignor and I have decided to apply. Being in Canada, things are done differently then in the US I'm sure. Last year, our assignor only assigned games. Not a lot of communication with him beside that. We used a software to enter our availabilities and then he assigned the games.   I wonder what your assignors are doing? Since I don't have any experience as assignor, anything you could share would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks!

Sorry to come across the wrong way, but, ....if you don't have any experience as an assignor, why apply?  How do you get experience if you don't do it?!?

 

If you have some sort of interest, .... work with the current assignor to help out, get some insight on what it takes before diving in

 

Your comment is far to simple on the surface Rolando, and I think you know that.

 

If your comment is true, then why do employers reject resumes from potential employees due to 'lack of experience' ??

 

On edit:  Don't get me wrong, ... what thunder6661980 is doing is pretty damn courageous and I wish him luck!

[mstaylor]

If you are promoting from within, no matter if it is umpiring or other occupation, but nobody is born with experience. You learn the trade, in this case umpiring, then the employer has to gauge your knowledge and organizational skills. Some guys are great at calling games but suck at off field activities. The number of games and umpires is a big part of the equation, but so is how much competition from other leagues for you umpires. It can be a decent job but it can also be a major pain. Another secret is assign as far in advance as possible, especially if you are competing for umpires, that way when you rain out you have a better idea of how to reassign.

[thunder6661980]

Thanks for all the feedback. We have a roster of around 25-30 umpires to cover 34 teams separated in 4 levels of play. The way we have it setup right now, the assignor reports to the league. I don't have assignment experience but I really think it's something I can do. I'm a fairly organized person and I'm a quick learner. Our structure also has a Head Umpire and Deputy Head umpire which I have a great relationship with. I won't have to pay the umpires, only distribute the money 3 times a year.

 

Beside making sure that everyone is happy, is your assignor doing anything else? Is he involved in training and stuff like that?

[Phadnis]

Stay on top of conflicts, assign accordingly.

Be open and accessible.

Have the interests of the league in mind at all times.

Smile. Encourage staff to wear numbers

[CentralOhioUmp30]

I'm assigning two Perfect Game tournaments this year.  We're talking ~48 teams on five local Varsity fields for the first week and ~32 teams on three Varsity fields the second week.  I don't need that many guys....probably only 10-12 with a couple backups and myself able to work if an absolute emergency.  Nice payday for me and I'll get to work a couple championship games.

 

Now the guys who assign tournaments with 20+ fields and 150+ teams are crazy, but I respect the hell out of the guys who do it correctly.  I know one guy who will be assigning 8-10 tournaments this year, including two tournaments going on during Memorial Day weekend.  That weekend he will be assigning nearly 300 games.  Absolutely enormous pay day, but the hassle of it has to be unbelievable and you really need to have triple digits of guys you can truly count on to attempt an endeavor like that.

 

I'll stick with working the games except for two weekends, thank you very much.

[Kevin_K]

I'm assigning two Perfect Game tournaments this year.  We're talking ~48 teams on five local Varsity fields for the first week and ~32 teams on three Varsity fields the second week.  I don't need that many guys....probably only 10-12 with a couple backups and myself able to work if an absolute emergency.  Nice payday for me and I'll get to work a couple championship games.

 

Now the guys who assign tournaments with 20+ fields and 150+ teams are crazy, but I respect the hell out of the guys who do it correctly.  I know one guy who will be assigning 8-10 tournaments this year, including two tournaments going on during Memorial Day weekend.  That weekend he will be assigning nearly 300 games.  Absolutely enormous pay day, but the hassle of it has to be unbelievable and you really need to have triple digits of guys you can truly count on to attempt an endeavor like that.

 

I'll stick with working the games except for two weekends, thank you very much.

 

What if the other guys working the tournament deserve to work those championship games as a result of their on-field perfomance(s)? As the assignor do you necessarily "earn" a championship assignment soley from being the tournament assignor, thereby keeping others from having the opportunity to win one of those coveted spots?

[JaxRolo]

I'm assigning two Perfect Game tournaments this year. We're talking ~48 teams on five local Varsity fields for the first week and ~32 teams on three Varsity fields the second week. I don't need that many guys....probably only 10-12 with a couple backups and myself able to work if an absolute emergency. Nice payday for me and I'll get to work a couple championship games.

Now the guys who assign tournaments with 20+ fields and 150+ teams are crazy, but I respect the hell out of the guys who do it correctly. I know one guy who will be assigning 8-10 tournaments this year, including two tournaments going on during Memorial Day weekend. That weekend he will be assigning nearly 300 games. Absolutely enormous pay day, but the hassle of it has to be unbelievable and you really need to have triple digits of guys you can truly count on to attempt an endeavor like that.

I'll stick with working the games except for two weekends, thank you very much.

What if the other guys working the tournament deserve to work those championship games as a result of their on-field perfomance(s)? As the assignor do you necessarily "earn" a championship assignment soley from being the tournament assignor, thereby keeping others from having the opportunity to win one of those coveted spots?

I agree!

Nothing I hate more than working hard at a tournament than seeing the assignor and his "buddies" getting the best games.

I work a lot of perfect game and don't see that happening here. The assignor works no games.

[yawetag]

Honestly, the assignor shouldn't work any games. What happens if there's a last-minute change to a game, or an umpire has to give back a game within hours of starting? If the assignor's already on the way to his scheduled game, how does he deal with contacting or finding umpires affected?

 

Even during tournaments, an emergency can throw a wrench into the best-laid plans. If the assignor's working the plate on the far field, then how's he going to find a way to cover for the umpire that just got drilled by a pitch and has to leave?

 

It's a personal opinion, but I pay my assigning dues to have the assignor sit at home and make assignments. I certainly don't pay him to take the games he wants (which he's also being paid a game fee to officiate), and I definitely don't pay him to take the championship game.

[CentralOhioUmp30]

Honestly, the assignor shouldn't work any games. What happens if there's a last-minute change to a game, or an umpire has to give back a game within hours of starting? If the assignor's already on the way to his scheduled game, how does he deal with contacting or finding umpires affected?

Even during tournaments, an emergency can throw a wrench into the best-laid plans. If the assignor's working the plate on the far field, then how's he going to find a way to cover for the umpire that just got drilled by a pitch and has to leave?

It's a personal opinion, but I pay my assigning dues to have the assignor sit at home and make assignments. I certainly don't pay him to take the games he wants (which he's also being paid a game fee to officiate), and I definitely don't pay him to take the championship game.

Agree with a lot of the first two paragraphs. Not the first sentence.

I disagree with the latter paragraph, but that's fine.

[BigUmpire]

Sugestion on tournaments assignments:

 

• 3 umpires per field, working as a team, 2 on, 1 off.
• Off man serves as a support person for the on men. He is geared up to take the plate when the other 2 come off.
• Give these guys one field all day.
• Rotate levels at the end of each day.

[CentralOhioUmp30]

Thanks for everyone's opinion.  

 

I didn't know this was such a sensitive subject because I have seen it done many times before and I just didn't think anything of it.

 

The situation is all of the championship games will be held at ONE location on the final day.  Back-to-back-to-back.

 

Many of the guys working for me are from a completely different side of town from the site of the championship games.  For that reason, many do not want to travel what can amount to more than 2 hours round trip for one game on a Sunday afternoon in June.  I empathize with that.  If that was my option I'd probably choose to play golf that day.

 

Now I could use lesser guys who are closer to that particular field so that I don't work, but I don't really understand the logic of that.

[FlaUmp22]

Thanks for everyone's opinion.  

 

I didn't know this was such a sensitive subject because I have seen it done many times before and I just didn't think anything of it.

 

The situation is all of the championship games will be held at ONE location on the final day.  Back-to-back-to-back.

 

Many of the guys working for me are from a completely different side of town from the site of the championship games.  For that reason, many do not want to travel what can amount to more than 2 hours round trip for one game on a Sunday afternoon in June.  I empathize with that.  If that was my option I'd probably choose to play golf that day.

 

Now I could use lesser guys who are closer to that particular field so that I don't work, but I don't really understand the logic of that.

 

you're the assigner... reward those who worked hard for you by letting them do the championship games. Not very difficult 

[alex7]

Our HS assignor's duties include (besides assigning):

 

Handles ejection reports with managers/schools/teams/umpires.

Attends mandatory rules meetings each year.

Makes sure there's a board president in place.

Handles phone calls / emails from prospective umpires.

Collects the money, makes payments.

Updates any needed info on our website.

Speaks at each meeting - giving updates on the season / rule changes.

Calls the umpires ASAP if a game is cancelled due to weather / other reasons.