Stupid Restart

[Baron]

The Fredericksburg - Wimberly game will not be played tonight because there is a shortage of "official" chain gang. The game will be played at 10 AM tomorrow. That means Fbg will have to travel home then get up at the crack of dawn to go back to Wimberly. That's BS. WTF is going on in this country? I have never heard of this in 50 years, but I am not exactly plugged in to the goings on of the UIL. Regardless this is the new Amerika,

[Huskie1]

I coached for 20yrs and never heard of that one. We actually played a non district game with coaches officiating, 3 from each team. Due to a scheduling issue, we didn’t get assigned a crew. Played a great game that was very well officiated. That was many many years ago however.

[Eastexhorn]

Maybe a chain gang union deal.

[tejasrulz]

1 hour ago, Baron said:

The Fredericksburg - Wimberly game will not be played tonight because there is a shortage of "official" chain gang. The game will be played at 10 AM tomorrow. That means Fbg will have to travel home then get up at the crack of dawn to go back to Wimberly. That's BS. WTF is going on in this country? I have never heard of this in 50 years, but I am not exactly plugged in to the goings on of the UIL. Regardless this is the new Amerika,

There is a shortage of officials in all sports in Texas. Care to guess why? Unfortunately, it's not BS but reality.

[java]

Are you saying it’s almost impossible to get fired for r incompetence?

[tejasrulz]

5 hours ago, java said:

Are you saying it’s almost impossible to get fired for r incompetence?

If directed at my comment, no it's not. However I'm not sure what happened to cause the shortage that night. Did someone, or maybe even more than one person, come down with Covid and there was nobody to backfill them? Was there a family emergency? A wreck? Who knows why but unless it's not a good reason, the officials can get fine for missing a game and even face the possibility of losing future games thus creating an even greater shortage than there is.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

On 9/16/2022 at 10:03 PM, tejasrulz said:

There is a shortage of officials in all sports in Texas. Care to guess why? Unfortunately, it's not BS but reality.

Having officiated TASO football for 10 years, it's mostly because the pay doesn't make up for the bullshit from coaches, fans, and your local officiating chapters.

I never had a game postponed due to "no chain crew", however. Seems like it shouldn't be too hard to find 3 dads or students to volunteer while paying them $50 each to do it.

[J.B. TexasEx]

On 9/18/2022 at 10:07 AM, java said:

Are you saying it’s almost impossible to get fired for r incompetence?

TASO officials are independent contractors who don't get paid much. A head coach and school can "scratch" officials and crews from working their games, if displeased with performance, but that's about it. Local chapter leadership can dismiss officials for gross incompetence if they're really bad.

But, then they've gotta back-fill with unproven newbies who may be even worse.

[tejasrulz]

16 minutes ago, J.B. TexasEx said:

Having officiated TASO football for 10 years, it's mostly because the pay doesn't make up for the bullshit from coaches, fans, and your local officiating chapters.

I never had a game postponed due to "no chain crew", however. Seems like it shouldn't be too hard to find 3 dads or students to volunteer while paying them $50 each to do it.

You nailed the reason why.

A friend of mine (a TASO official) posted something on Facebook not too long ago stating they are in need of people working the chains. I believe the pay was $60 for a varsity game. I'm thinking that maybe they aren't allowed to use dads or students anymore?

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

27 minutes ago, tejasrulz said:

You nailed the reason why.

A friend of mine (a TASO official) posted something on Facebook not too long ago stating they are in need of people working the chains. I believe the pay was $60 for a varsity game. I'm thinking that maybe they aren't allowed to use dads or students anymore?

 

Why not?

I've had to tell more than one volunteer dad to STFU during a game while working H. If he didn't comply, it'd be on the offending team to replace him with a student manager, assistant coach, or whoever. Disallowing volunteers affiliated with the home team is just dumb.

Some districts contract TASO officials - usually the FNGs - to work the chains on Friday nights. This is easier to do for suburban and city schools. It was usually volunteer dads out in the country with 3A and smaller schools.

[tejasrulz]

1 hour ago, J.B. TexasEx said:

Why not?

I've had to tell more than one volunteer dad to STFU during a game while working H. If he didn't comply, it'd be on the offending team to replace him with a student manager, assistant coach, or whoever. Disallowing volunteers affiliated with the home team is just dumb.

Some districts contract TASO officials - usually the FNGs - to work the chains on Friday nights. This is easier to do for suburban and city schools. It was usually volunteer dads out in the country with 3A and smaller schools.

You may have answered your own question, issues with parents. I'm not sure why not but maybe it's changed since you ref'ed? Why else are they posting on Facebook stating they need members (3 @ $60 each) for a chain gang when they could get 3 dads for free?

Austin Football Officials Association | Facebook

 

[Eastexhorn]

My guess is $50.00 is not that much toma lot of people. Seen the time would done for $5.00 and been happy.

Wimb.21  Fred. 17.

[Baron]

Now that my wife has apprised me of what is being said on facepuke, Wimberly either didn't book the officiating crew or the crew was double booked and didn't make it. Either way it's on Wimberly or whoever allowed the double booking. BTW Fbg lost 17-14 to the #6 team per Dave Campbell's after having to travel home after 8 PM, get up at the crack of dawn and travel back to Wimberly for a 10 AM start. That's a Big12/Alabama type bend you over thing.

[J.B. TexasEx]

On 9/20/2022 at 3:14 PM, tejasrulz said:

You may have answered your own question, issues with parents. I'm not sure why not but maybe it's changed since you ref'ed? Why else are they posting on Facebook stating they need members (3 @ $60 each) for a chain gang when they could get 3 dads for free?

Austin Football Officials Association | Facebook

 

I guess it has changed since I stopped officiating in 2018.

I've heard of programs selling chain gang spots as a booster club fundraiser. Great view from the sidelines and an opportunity to get close to the game. Oh, well, those were the good ol' days. But, I still think $60 for a couple hours work should entice HS kids. All they've gotta do is pay attention, keep up, and shut up.

[Eastexhorn]

Thats asking a lot for most  HS kids.