Spring 2005

If you cannot make a game, please notify the U12/U14 ref assigner (Paul Levy) or the U16/U18 ref assignors (Paul Levy and Bill Carroll) as soon as possible. Here are further notes from Paul:

Please remember, the rule is that a referee “owns” his or her assigned game. If that game is to be rescheduled for any reason other than bad weather, the coach should notify the referee as soon as possible - and should also send me an email with this notification. (This is not necessary for bad weather because the referees will know about the postponement from the fields hotline -- 617-928-6061.) Whether for bad weather or other reasons, after a new date and field is assigned by the field coordinator, the coach should contact the referee to see if s/he is available to officiate the game. If so, the process is completed by sending a confirming email to me.

If the referee is not available for the new date and time, the coach should send me an email requesting a referee. I will assign one.

Note: Assistant Referees (a.k.a. linesmen) do not “own” their games. I will attempt to find ARs for the rescheduled game when I am notified of the time and place. However, the coach should notify the ARs if a game is being rescheduled.

I have not assigned any referees for Memorial Day weekend. Those games are usually rescheduled. Please let me know your plans for that weekend as soon as you know them.

Do not leave telephone messages for me about rescheduled games, requests for referees, or the like. I am unlikely to retrieve those messages in a timely fashion. Please use email.

Finally, referees should not permit play to go ahead without goals that are firmly anchored. All coaches have been given anchors by the league. Use them. Refs, we will stand by you and support you (and pay you) if you refuse to referee a game under conditions you deem unsafe. Coaches, please do not put referees in the position of having to cancel a game. If a referee determines that a field is unsafe and leaves, please do not proceed with play (even friendly play) with the opposing team. At that point, the liability for the decision to play shifts to you.

Spring 2005 Referee availability form (Can be filled out on the screen, but must be printed and sent via US mail.)