Introduction
If you’re a lost soul floundering in a bottomless sea of minimum wages and non-productive jobs, and in need of some cash to make some needy payments to stay afloat let me introduce you to a new, fun, and fast way to make money. Consider it a life preserver tossed to you in your time of need. If you want to tread water the rest of your life, that’s your business. It you want to move in another direction, that’s my business and the main reason I wrote this book. We’re talking pearls of wisdom, folks, so please pay attention. In 2012, the minimum wage is $8 bucks an hour. There is some exception, but most get eight. If you worked at a fast-food joint at that wage, eight hours a day or night, you would bring in a gross of $64 bucks for standing around a smelly grill and wearing a funny hat. But suppose you had a job on Monday that didn’t start until 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. where you were out on a football, baseball or soccer field or inside a gym for around three hours and made around $45 to $55 bucks, with payment before the game and home by six p.m. This is NOT fiction, this is REALITY. Amateur sports officiating is real money, real fast and depending on how many games you want to officiate each week, and the sport(s) you choose, pocketing up to $500 a week in your spare time is within reach. The best news is sports are a 12 month activity - day and night.
I found these money tree decades ago and officiated for years and now I’m telling you about it. Becoming an amateur sports official can virtually protect you from financial burdens, emergency cash needs, unemployment and the brutal shortcomings of suffering in a fast-food job with no future. I like to call it “patchwork economics.” It’s even a great way to supplement your income even if you do have a job. Most games are after 3 p.m. and you can surely fit a few games in each week to put money in your pocket. This is the ticket, people. Amateur Sports Officiating. It’s nothing but blue skies and green lights and
NO experience is required. Maybe it’s time for you to jump on the money train.
PREFACE
No experience required. That has a nice ring to it especially when it applies to amateur sports officiating. For over 13 years in my spare time I generated from $250 to $500 bucks a week officiating baseball, softball and soccer at the high school, city league and college level. My newest book: How To Make $2,000 Per Month Blowing A Whistle is ALL about amateur sports officiating and it’s loaded with information. I’ll hold your hand all the way through and explain how easy it is to make money in any small town or big city. No color barriers, ages 18 to 70, men, women, college students and even high school seniors and senior citizens can participate and supplement their incomes by officiating any sport(s) they like in the afternoons or evenings and weekends, as well. Hey, it’s easier than you think, and no experience is required. You can learn on the job, pick sports you enjoy, read up on how to qualify for each one plus the income you’ll make. Action, new friendships, fresh air, and all that green stuff with the pictures of dead presidents on the front are yours for the taking. So, what are YOU waiting for? C’mon and join the games. We’ll be waiting.
How to make $2,000 a month
Blowing a whistle
(in your spare time)
ANY CITY - ANy TOWN - ANY STATE
ANTONY EVANS
THE MONEY TRAIL
How come that all powerful, crystal ball seer never saw this coming down the pike? Over
half of homeowners are “underwater” on their homes, unemployment is over 9 percent, (realistically much higher) and, at last count, over 18 million are unemployed. Many folks have pretty much tossed their hands in the air and said: “to hell with it.” And if that wasn’t bad enough news, some Mayan wizard in South America says that come December 21st, 2012, we won’t have to worry about anything because there is going to be such a massive change in the universe, our days on earth may very well be over. Yikes! Pack your bags, find a deserted island that’s safe or kiss your butt adios.
I’ll leave all the doom and gloom stuff up to you, but in the meantime, what if I gave you a secret that’s not common knowledge, where any person, male or female, college age to senior citizen, could start making enough money per month to get back into the game of life, put a smile on your face, and see crappy days zoom by in your rearview mirror with blue skies and green lights up ahead. Look, before you write me off as some kind of “crackpot,” please hear me out. I’m living proof that any person who wants to get his or her butt up off the couch, and learn a bit about how amateur sports operates, can pocket $250 to $2,000 per month, 12 months a year, a choice of 12 different sports, and only spend about 25 to 30 hours a week; most of it after 3 p.m. except for weekends.
Yeah, yeah, I hear the naysayer’s thinking this guy is probably two bottles short of a six-pack. Well, talk is cheap and proof is on the way. Then, maybe, I’ll hear a word or two about what a wonderful idea this guy has so you can not only regain your sanity, but pay rent or mortgage, make a car payment, pay bills, and put food on the table. Spam and hot dogs can get old real fast.
If you have kids, you know sports. You either take them to practice or are involved in a carpool. If you attended their games, you surely must be aware of those men and women in various outfits out on the field doing the officiating. Yes, they are getting paid, and quite nicely, thank you very much. You see, amateur sports officiating is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or a life preserver tossed your way to help keep you afloat until help comes along. There is a solution to the mess you may be in now. The only way to make money this easily is to rob a bank, which is not recommended.
Every sport in every state, major city or small community requires amateur sports officials. That could be you, and it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female - age 18 or 70.
The money is real; it’s green, and the easiest way to relieve your current stressful situation. It’s a fact that every high school, community college, university or city league sports all use amateur officials. Maybe it’s your time. Now let me walk you through some of the sports that will pay you up to - even over $40 bucks an hour. And you thought those whistle blowers were doing it because they like it. Not so much.
CHAPTER ONE
---------------------------PREPARING YOURSELF TO OFFICIATE AMATEUR SPORTS
Every high school varsity sport uses at least two officials except soccer which has three and football which, in most cases, uses four or more. The only time you might find yourself alone on the field or in the gym would be officiating a freshman or junior varsity game, youth sports, or a city league game. In California, freshman baseball and softball games only use the one umpire behind the plate and are responsible for making all calls including those on the bases. He or she gets the paycheck. If it’s a junior varsity game two officials usually used; a plate umpire and one umpire to handle the bases. The plate umpire gets paid more than the base ump. Not much but usually around five or ten dollars more. In soccer the center referee makes more than the lines officials. We’ll break down the pay schedules in a later chapter.
In any sport at any level be it city league, high school, college or professional, being prepared is critical. Even though I have officiated and know umpires and referees who regularly violate the “never be late to a game,” principal, you never want to arrive at your game just as its beginning. It’s rude and unprofessional to you partner(s), the coaches and the players. Unless it’s a wreck or other emergency there is NO excuse for being late to officiate a game.
There is usually a pre-game conference which is basically talking things over with your partner(s) on how to handle certain situations that surely will come up during the course of action on the field or in the gym. It mostly concerns Murphy’s Law: “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.” Perhaps one official has umpired these teams before and can alert everyone about a coach who is mouthy or player who has a proclivity towards rough play or other characteristics that may cause trouble. Pre-game discussions are always helpful.
If you are a first-time official just getting your feet wet at the high school level, the assigner will probably partner you with a seasoned veteran which will make it easier for you. We all started our officiating program as “rookies” many times working the lower level games at minimum pay, but you can only gain confidence and experience, and move up the ladder to the varsity games if you pay attention and stay focused. How long that journey takes will be up to you. If you’re a fast learner and picked a sport or sports that have played or know well, you’ll move up fast your first year. For sure you should be officiating at the high school varsity level with a great deal of confidence by your second or third year.
Some of you reading this book will no doubt be concerned that you know nothing about most sports buy are interested in the money it can provide. It’s not a prerequisite you have working knowledge or even have participated in any sports to become an effective official. There is no reason whey you can’t sign up, get certified, attend a few weekly meetings and become a competent official at any age.
One of the best ways to get your juices flowing and making some easy, fun money in your spare time is watching games you enjoy on TV or in person at one of your local fields or gymnasiums. Watch other officials. Where are they on the floor or field? What are they doing that you must be able to do? Years of experience is helpful but you can gain some knowledge and intuition to officiate effectively just by watching; but you learn by doing. That’s why 90 percent of us start at the freshman or junior varsity level of games.
POST GAME EVALUATIONS
The game is over and you head for the parking lot with your check tucked away in your pocket. Make sure you and any partners leave the field or gym together and walk to the parking lot area in a group. Spare a few minutes outside or if it’s cold inside a car to discuss the game and make comments and suggestions. The feedback will help you mature and become a better official
COMMUNICATION
Only two types to be concerned about: verbal (words spoken) and non-verbal (action taken) Use one or the other in officiating sports.
BODY LANGUAGE
It’s important to be cognizant of your physical appearance, posture, gestures, and facial expressions plus your tone of voice. Think confidence, openness and energy. It’s not what you say, but how you say it. It’s not what you do, but how you do it. Make the call.
CHAPTER TWO
-----------------------------BASKETBALL: HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, CITY LEAGUES
This is a major sport that, along with football, dominates the attention in every city and small town in the country. During basketball season most area gymnasiums are filled to capacity for regular season games and tournament play with teachers, parents, students, cheerleaders, girl friends and boy friends and even the janitor crew who will cleanup after the games. Its big-time stuff, folks. Unlike professional and college basketball, one thing you won’t see is bad sportsmanship or player’s trash-talking, swearing out loud, bumping or pushing the officials. If you choose to put basketball on your amateur sports officiating list, you can pretty much be assured of your safety before, during and after the game.
Friday is usually the designated night for basketball unless it’s a round-robin tournament in town. Thursday after school is reserved for junior varsity and freshman games it there is a team.
Usually a night basketball game will last several hours, then you and your partner (usually two referees) will exit the gym into a relatively dark parking lot filled with cars and people. If you were guilty, and many times you will be, of making an incorrect call that may have affected the outcome of the game, some parent or spectator may get in your face with some four-letter word verbal abuse - especially if the two teams have a track record of dislike for each other. You’re probably not in any physical danger, but in this day and age of irate parents and fans, you never know. As pointed out in an earlier section, ALL officials should try to enter and leave in a group. There is safety in numbers, but if you feel nervous about the situation, ask for a security or teacher escort to your cars.
One thing in your favor is the word POWER! As an official you can be the catalyst to suspend a player or coach or both indefinitely and they know it, or should. That alone should keep everything and everybody in line. At the worst, you may hear some shouts and cursing from a distance, and that’s about it. One senior referee I know always carries a small pepper-spray canister in his bag and puts it in his pocket when leaving the gym.
For a high school game there will be two floor officials. One is the umpire and the other the referee. The home school will provide the timer and scorer. As the officials, you have the power to make decisions for infractions of the rules committed inside and outside the boundary lines of the basketball court. Usually, no TV replay is allowed. Outfitted properly, your official uniform consists of a striped shirt, black pants, black socks, black court shoes, black belt, a whistle and small note pad with pen. If you look hard enough at home, you probably already have most of this stuff stashed in your closet, so your initial outlay of cash will be minimal. You can by a nice pair of black court shoes at any outlet center for less than $50 bucks. The stripe shirt $25 and a nice, shrill $5 dollar whistle will complete your officiating package. Your first two game checks should pay you back for anything you had to pay for out-of-pocket. In a later chapter you’ll find more information on sports equipment.
Like all high school sports, to get started you need to locate where league meetings are held, attend those meetings, pay a minor fee for dues, and get an information kit and an updated rules book. Soon you’ll take an open-book test, become certified and start looking forward to officiating some games. Contact your local newspaper sports department or talk with one of the referees after a game to find out who the contact person is for signing up.
Most everyone has seen a basketball game on TV, be it professional or college, so it’s no big mystery what they do on the court. If you have no past experience, attend some local city league games at the local gym or YMCA or high school where you can watch other certified officials in action. Watch and make notes.
Like all sports programs, it’s wise to arrive at the game site at least 15 to 30 minutes prior to the game time and meet with your partner. The minute you enter the gym your jurisdiction begins. The minute you hit the gym floor you’re the BOSS until the final buzzer goes off and players clear the floor. Some schools require the referees to stand in the middle of the gym and observe while players exchange high-fives. Doing this becomes a deterrent to any physical action between the players or coaches.
All sports equipment including basketballs, towels…etc is provided by the school. The athletic director or coach will be responsible for handing you your checks. This is the usual scenario at the high school and college level. Money paid first, then the game. Or, some schools may have a policy that says game first, money after the game. Doesn’t really matter, you’ll get paid. In all my years of amateur sports officiating, payday first or right after has been the rules. One exception would be officiating city league - Parks and Recreation games. They mail the checks from the city within a week. So, how long are you going to be out there on that gym floor running around? In high school its four quarters of eight minutes with intermissions of one minute between quarters and a ten minute have time intermission. Frosh and JV games generally involve six minute quarters.
The amount you get paid will depend on where you live and officiate. A complete breakdown will be posted in a later chapter. Most states pay as follows:
Varsity Game: - 2 officials - $57 each
JV/Freshman Game - 2 officials - $46 each
Since high school games are primarily a night sport activity, a full-time working person (9 to 5) can easily sign up to officiate local basketball. Leave work, get home, pick up gear, grab a quick bite to eat and head to the gym. However, if you have a long commute to home then to the game site, pack a lunch, bring you gear to work, change in the rest room, rest for a while then head out to the gym.
Amateur sports officiating are a nice diversion to consider. A tough day at the office getting abuse, then you can take your mind off work by heading to the gym, run up and down the court, pick up a bit of extra money and get a little more abuse from the fans.
Speaking of running, this is a game of constant exercise, In order to make the proper calls you must be close to the action. Like football, soccer, and hockey, this is run, run, run. If you’re not in shape at the beginning of league play, you will be when the season is over.
Also, you young girl graduate students and older women should keep in mind that each school has girl’s basketball, not just boys. Women over 18 are wanted in all sports and the money is the same as the guy’s payday.
CITY RECREATIONAL LEAGUE BASKETBALL
Small town, big city, it doesn’t matter. They all have city league sports that require referees. Usually the two most popular city league sports are basket ball and softball and I guess I should include soccer, as well. Leagues are formed in the late summer and games are either played at night in one of the older gymnasiums around town or on Saturday.
As a high school certified referee, what does that mean for you? MONEY! Actually, it’s not required you be a certified referee to handle city league games, but you’ll get first preference. This is good training and experience for some of you younger people to learn the game and gain confidence.
Games that are played at night during the week start at 6 pm and end at 9 pm. To get involved, just contact your local Parks and Recreation Department. You can referee as many games as you wish and each game lasts from 45 to 60 minutes. The payday won’t match high school or college, but you can easily pocket $25 per game time’s three games. You can do the math to see that it would be easy to make that car payment or put food on the table for your family. It’s fast, easy money and somebody has to do it……why not you.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Pay scale reference: National Federation of State High School Assn’
Uniform costs are minimal
Officiate high school and city leagues then move up to college
Learn the signals and read the rules book
Contact school athletic director or newspaper sports department for information.
CHAPTER THREE
-----------------------------BASEBALL: HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, YOUTH LEAGUES
Yes, I’m glad you noticed that in the summer there is a baseball game going on someplace in you town or major city. They’re like ants at a lakeside picnic. And in that crowd is an umpire or two or three, making easy money. During the baseball season you will find high school, community college, major universities. Little League, Babe Ruth, and American Legion games.
This chapter will deal with all of the above and show you how to cash-in on this baseball money machine. If you’re in amateur sports officiating just for the money, baseball and softball offer the best opportunity for shorter hours on the field and one of the fatter paychecks with the possible exception of officiating Texas football games.
Most schools have freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams. Smaller parochial schools usually combine the frosh and JV teams due to smaller attendance.