The "Official Has Another Game at This Time" error message in the Diagnostics Table is a common challenge faced by assignors and schedulers. This error indicates that the desired official is ineligible for a particular game due to a scheduling conflict and that the system has identified one or more games within your subscription that are in direct conflict with the game you're attempting to assign.
While the most apparent reason for this error is that the official already has a game scheduled at the same time, there are nuances and other factors to consider. In this guide, we will delve into the causes of this error and how to resolve them.
Checking Game Times
Before jumping to conclusions, it's essential to double-check the game times for both the game you are trying to assign and the conflicting game. Human errors, such as mixing up AM and PM, can lead to inaccuracies in game timing. For instance, if a game was intended to run from 10 AM to 11 AM but was mistakenly set as 10 AM to 11 PM, the game duration becomes 13 hours. Consequently, the official may be deemed ineligible due to the extended game length. Therefore, always ensure that game times are accurately inputted to avoid this type of conflict.
Example:
Correct Time: Game 1: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Incorrect Time: Game 1: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM (13 hours)
Understanding Game Linking System Impact
One of the more intricate aspects of this error is its interaction with the Game Linking System. When utilizing this system, it's crucial to remember that if the game you are trying to assign is part of a linked set, the official must be available and eligible for the entire link set's duration.
The official's availability and eligibility are evaluated concerning the complete set of linked games, not just the individual game you are assigning. This means that even if the specific game you're looking at appears to have no conflicts, other games within the link set might conflict with the official's schedule, rendering them ineligible.
Example:
Suppose you have a set of five linked games, and Game 1 is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. If Game 2, Game 3, Game 4, or Game 5 within the link set falls within the official's existing game schedule, the official will be ineligible for all the games in the set.
Resolving the Error
To resolve the "Official Has Another Game at This Time" error:
Check Game Times: Verify that game times for both the game you are assigning and the conflicting game(s) are accurate, with no AM/PM discrepancies.
Review Linked Games: If you are working with linked games, evaluate the official's availability for the entire link set. Ensure that there are no overlapping games within the set that could create conflicts.
Adjust Game Times: If you identify an error in game times, correct it in the system to align with the actual schedule.
By following these steps and paying close attention to game times and linked game sets, you can effectively resolve the "Official Has Another Game at This Time" error and ensure smooth and conflict-free officiating assignments.