Despite what you read in so many gripe sessions on discussion boards, assignors don't favor one umpire over another for completely arbitrary reasons. There are sound business reasons why a good assignor gives an umpire a game, and many of them have nothing to do with his umpiring ability. This article will teach you what an assignor looks for.

Many years ago, when I started assigning, I tried to get inside the head of our chief assignor. I even prepared a lecture that I gave to our rookie class entitled "Inside the Head of Our Assignor." Our head assignor listened to the lecture and was astounded that I had so accurately portrayed his likes and dislikes. Word of my lecture got around, and the next year several of the veterans showed up to the class to listen to that lecture.

Continued...