Articulating What We Do...

[johnnyg08]

To those of you who assign/schedule...how do you explain what you do to folks who have no clue what goes into doing it or that it is even a thing? 

Or relatable/congruent topics...

[BLWizzRanger]

13 hours ago, johnnyg08 said:

To those of you who assign/schedule...how do you explain what you do to folks who have no clue what goes into doing it or that it is even a thing? 

Or relatable/congruent topics...

You mean saying they 'herd cats' isn't descriptive enough?

(Just so I come clean, even though I bitch and moan sometimes about assignments (or the last minute changes), I have complete respect in what they do. AND, I do not want that responsibility.  )

[JonnyCat]

I don't assign for an association, but I do help with assignments for my District LL during TOC and All Stars.

I'm assuming your talking to fellow umpires who want to know how it's done,or why they aren't getting certain assignments.

When asked, I try to be as honest as possible. I tell them why they don't always get the games they want. I let them know the challenges we face, with availability, ability, the teams playing, the possible temperature and/or magnitude of the game, etc. Sometime we want to give opportunities to other umpires, sometimes our seasoned umpires are more suited. Sometimes it's the only bodies we got!

Sometimes I need to explain to an umpire that they are not suited for certain games, and give them feedback as how to get those games. In those instances, I try to give them tangible things to work on to better themselves.

I just try to be honest and give everyone a fair shake. It doesn't always come across as that to certain people, but you can't please everyone.

[johnnyg08]

21 minutes ago, JonnyCat said:

I don't assign for an association, but I do help with assignments for my District LL during TOC and All Stars.

I'm assuming your talking to fellow umpires who want to know how it's done,or why they aren't getting certain assignments.

When asked, I try to be as honest as possible. I tell them why they don't always get the games they want. I let them know the challenges we face, with availability, ability, the teams playing, the possible temperature and/or magnitude of the game, etc. Sometime we want to give opportunities to other umpires, sometimes our seasoned umpires are more suited. Sometimes it's the only bodies we got!

Sometimes I need to explain to an umpire that they are not suited for certain games, and give them feedback as how to get those games. In those instances, I try to give them tangible things to work on to better themselves.

I just try to be honest and give everyone a fair shake. It doesn't always come across as that to certain people, but you can't please everyone.

Thank you for your response. I guess I'm referring to conversations with those who are not officials and/or are not familiar with the system in any capacity other than when they go to games, there are almost always officials there and it's not magic. 

 

 

[Velho]

1 hour ago, BLWizzRanger said:

(Just so I come clean, even though I bitch and moan sometimes about assignments (or the last minute changes), I have complete respect in what they do. AND, I do not want that responsibility.  )

Sounds like me and LL UICs - and how I'm always being asked to be a UIC.

Crap, I just realized I'm the subject of the "they complain enough, let them do it" statement.

[Velho]

14 minutes ago, johnnyg08 said:

I guess I'm referring to conversations with those who are not officials and/or are not familiar with the system in any capacity other than when they go to games, there are almost always officials there and it's not magic. 

I'd ask if it was so they can gain an appreciation for the role but you're already an umpire... which means you gave up on being appreciated a long time ago

[johnnyg08]

14 hours ago, Velho said:

which means you gave up on being appreciated a long time ago

That's about right. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

Much like our relationships with our fellow umpires on the field...I consider it very, very important to maintain a positive relationship with my assignors. Not going to lie...sometimes I block a day because I need a day off from umpiring. And sometimes, I get a call when I am blocked because the association needs a guy on a game somewhere badly and the assignor is asking if I am available knowing full well I am blocked. Unless I truly have a conflict and have already committed to something, nothing gives me more satisfaction than to "pull on the cape" as I like to say and go and work a game that either didn't have an umpire...or had someone solo. I have noticed a direct correlation between this, going to camp, giving my very best when on the field and of course minimizing turnbacks...and the "quality" of my schedule.

I've also gotten calls late in the afternoon on a day where I am open and unassigned to work a game that night. Sure! Of course! I'm open! Thanks for calling! When and where do you need me? Thanks for the slot!

I can't do it every time and I am by no means telling any of you that you "must" do that...I just think it's important we do all we can for our assignors and the association so that they can they do right by us.

My assignors do not live in my market but, if they ever came to town you best believe the steaks and bourbon are on me...

~Dawg

[Kais]

On 8/4/2024 at 10:04 PM, johnnyg08 said:

Thank you for your response. I guess I'm referring to conversations with those who are not officials and/or are not familiar with the system in any capacity other than when they go to games, there are almost always officials there and it's not magic. 

 

 

I'm with a small, independent recreational league, about 80+ teams, spring (650 games)and fall (450 games), TBall up to HS age. I was once UIC, after a few years passed that on to someone else. We recruit, train, try to retain, assign, pay and monitor performance of our umpires. We are a stepping stone to the local High School Umpire Association, which about 20% of our umpires eventually succeed to. For our UIC it's a constant job to do all that to have umpires for the games. In my 20 some years with this league, I don't believe anyone from coaches down to the parents have ever asked about how the magic happens. If I did have the opportunity to explain it, it would be along those lines adding in just how much time our UIC puts in to assure every game will have the required number of umpires assigned and also maintaining a roster of quality umpires for this level.

[johnnyg08]

On 8/11/2024 at 12:02 PM, Kais said:

I'm with a small, independent recreational league, about 80+ teams, spring (650 games)and fall (450 games), TBall up to HS age. I was once UIC, after a few years passed that on to someone else. We recruit, train, try to retain, assign, pay and monitor performance of our umpires. We are a stepping stone to the local High School Umpire Association, which about 20% of our umpires eventually succeed to. For our UIC it's a constant job to do all that to have umpires for the games. In my 20 some years with this league, I don't believe anyone from coaches down to the parents have ever asked about how the magic happens. If I did have the opportunity to explain it, it would be along those lines adding in just how much time our UIC puts in to assure every game will have the required number of umpires assigned and also maintaining a roster of quality umpires for this level.

Appreciate this. Thank you for the response.