Predictions For The Big 12 Tournament

Texas Longhorns

Undefeated through the regular season.

Baylor Bears

Defending conference champions and always a threat.

Texas A&M Aggies

Finished 2nd in regular season.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Always a strong team.

This is the week of the Big 12 tournament in Austin--and it should be a good one! The women's side is kind of cut and dried but the men's side promises to be great.

The top four teams are UT, Baylor, A&M, and Tech on the men's side and the Baylor women on the other.

Anybody ever wonder what would happen if the Baylor women played in the men's division?

What are your thoughts and predictions about the outcome?

Great Shot of Collegiate Tennis

Thought you would all enjoy seeing this picture of the 'Horns and the Aggies before their match last week.

(Please note the pic of Lee Ann Bain singing the national anthem in the background.)

As A Referee What Would You Do?

Two interesting scenarios came up this week and thought I would listen to your wisdom...

SCENARIO ONE: In a men's ITA doubles match, Player A serves a first serve and it hits the net and goes up into the air. Player B on the opposing team catches the ball in the air.

What would you rule?

SCENARIO TWO: In a men's ITA match, Player A calls a ball out on the baseline and is overruled. He protests saying the ball was out and he can show the chair official the mark. The chair official then gets out of the chair and goes to the baseline to examine the mark.

As a referee, what would you do with this official??

University of Texas 7 A&M 0

7-0.

Enough said.

New Quotes From The ITA Season

Now that this year's ITA season is drawing to a close, I thought I would list some of the interesting statements that I have heard during the year. If you have some of your own, be sure to send them in.

1. "Tell me again, how much do we get paid." If you asked this, you probably won't be working much.

2. "If they are only footfaulting an inch or less then we aren't supposed to call it." This was supposedly taught at the Chair Academy but I can't find an instructor who will own up to it.

3. "Its been 3 days since my last match--how come I haven't gotten paid yet?" Obviously, they don't work for SMU.

4. "I was only in your office and on your personal computer to check the weather." I won't even begin to justify this one.

5. "Cheryl has a Big 12 opening so can I get out of my assignment with you?" I heard this one way more than I can stand. If I get another one, I can really help--I'll release you from all your assignments.

6. "I can't come work your match because my mother died." I actually believed it but then found out the official was working an event in Oklahoma.

7. "Only 40% of the ball hit the line." That was a great quote coming from an ITA player who called that ball out. I reminded him that 1% of the ball on the line made it good.

8. "Please don't put my picture on the blog." Where else can I get good copy?

9. "I'm not happy with my assignments since I didn't get to do the #1 singles match." This one happens every year...

10. "Why don't they wear the new ITA shirts in College Station?" Who knows...

11. "We're not playing since its 49 degrees outside." Sounds like Ohio State to me.

12. "I gave a code because what he said sounded like a bad word." Sounding like something doesn't make it true.

13. "I need to go take my break. I'll be in the car smoking and listening to music if you want me." I didn't know we got breaks.

14. "Why did Cheryl send me to Lubbock?" Because noone else will go there.

15. "I'm only footfaulting because I have big feet." I would love to have seen those feet!

16. "How come I don't get to work matches in ____?" Maybe its because the coordinator doesn't like you or think you are qualified.

17. "Can I get out of my assignment so I can go call lines in a pro tournament in Africa?" This is my favorite of all time. I always try to let them go so they can go earn their $70/day.

18. "Do I really have to learn the verbiage for a chair official?" Yes, you do.

19. "Why don't your matches pay as much as the Big 12?" Because only God has that much money.

20. "Why do some coaches yell at me when I'm in the chair?" Because they like to spend quality bonding time with you.

21. "Why don't they chair all the matches?" So they can save money.

These are just a few of the ones I heard this year. Send in your's...

How Would You Rule?

SCENARIO: In the 2nd set of an ITA match, player A was serving at game point. Player A served and volleyed the return back to Player B. Player B was already running to the other side of the court but was in the court enough that he was able to hit the ball. Player B was already upset that he was losing so he hit the ball up into the stands, losing the point.

Does this warrant a code violation or just loss of point?

How Would You Rule?

On a windy day ITA Player A places the third ball at the base of the back fence and prepares to serve. He serves, putting the ball in play and the rally gets underway. During the rally, the wind blows the third ball away from the fence and toward the baseline where Player A is rallying, oblivious to the ball rolling toward him. The Chair Umpire calls a let as he considers the third ball a hazard to Player A. Player B’s coach says no let may be awarded in this case because the ball was not secured by Player A, and Player A should lose the point.

How do you rule?

How Would You Rule?

In a recent USTA tournament the referee called the six 11:00 a.m. matches at 10:55 and put them on court. Team A arrived after 11:00 but declared that they could not be penalized for lateness since there was no court available at 11:00.

How would you rule?

HINT

FAC Comment IV.D-1 (Page 125-126)

"For example, if five matches are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. but only one court is available, the Referee should call all matches shortly before 10:00 a.m. and should start the lateness clock on all players who have not check in by 10:00 a.m.

When more matches are scheduled than there are courts available, the Referee may put the matches out in any order. A player does not escape the lateness penalty because the player's match was one of the last matches to be put on the court.

If one of several matches scheduled at the same time it put out early and when the scheduled time arrives there is no available court, the lateness clock does not start until another court becomes available."

How would you rule???

The Excitement Is Building: UT vs A&M Men

Spring is in the air and so is the excitement over the University of Texas versus A&M men's dual match on Saturday (April 17th). There should be a great crowd for the 4:00 p.m. match so be sure too come out and enjoy the festivities.

ITA Tennis At Its Best

On Saturday night, April 10th, I had the privilege of working one of the finest ITA matches I have ever seen when the Baylor Bears men's team hosted the visiting University of Texas Longhorns.

The match featured some of the highest quality tennis I have ever seen but it also featured a lot of fans who had a great evening of tennis. The fans, coaches, and players all conducted themselves honorably but also had a great time of cheering their teams to victory. Texas finally won the match 4-3 and it came down to the last match (#6 singles) in the third set.

My congratulations to the coaching staffs, players, and fans for a job well done!

The Texas Revolution

Much has been said lately and much ado has been made by those in the heirarchy of tennis officiating about the TEXAS REVOLUTION that is sweeping our land--and its truly a joyous feeling to be recognized throughout the officiating world.

Much of the talk about TR centers around the ITA shirts that are being worn in Texas (and Oklahoma)--but the TEXAS REVOLUTION was begun about 6 years ago right here in our own little state of Texas...

In the beginning of the TR, our very own Bruce Sampley (currently sectional chairman in Texas for the USTA) started the revolution by putting the teaching materials for officials schools on powerpoint. There was much gnashing of teeth among the heirarchy over this blasphemous step--but one that is now welcomed and revered among instructors everywhere. I can well remember the castigation that Bruce received for having the courage to step out to Power Point. I can well remember being told not to teach with the Power Point but it happened anyway and is now one of the boasting points for our schools.

The indignation over our new ITA shirts is really a non-issue since they have been wearing ITA shirts in California for at least the past 5 years--without any complaining by our leadership. The only difference is that theirs are navy blue and ours are green. Seems that we have now been branded as the TEXAS REVOLUTION for our wanting to have ITA shirts in Texas too. We do now wear them--and wear them proudly-throughout our state and the adjoining state of Oklahoma.

If that's what causes the TEXAS REVOLUTION then you can count me in as one that is proud to be called a:

TEXAS REVOLUTIONARY!