SCENE FROM FOUR COURTS AWAY...
Now that the 2014 Friend at Court is online we can begin to digest some of the new rule changes. One that stands out in particular is the change on Page 122, Comment 14-D.15
"Timing of imposition of penalties. An official who is on the court shall impose penalties before the start of the next point. An official who is not on the court has a reasonable amount of time to reach the court and impose the penalty even if intervening points have been played. Any intervening points stand as played."
WOW! This is going to open up a can of worms unlike anything we have ever seen. No official would doubt that a player should not "get away with" an offense but just imagine not being able to get to the court before the next point and then walk up and give a code violation on a match point! Hell hath no fury like that which would be unleashed by the offending player--or his Mother!
In the past, when this has occurred I would recommend going to the court as quickly as possible and issuing a strong warning to the offending player. This usually stopped any further infractions but of course they enjoyed getting away with something.
I would encourage you to do the following with this new rule:
1. Pray that it never happens to you.
2. If it does, then give the code and then duck for cover.
3. Call Bruce Avery at home when you finish for the day and share your experiences with him.
4. Be sure above all things that you carry a FAC in your pocket with this new rule highlighted for all to read and enjoy.
Just wondering what you think about this new rule... Be sure to leave your thoughts and comments.
13 comments:
Maybe we could have them post in RED a warning on the site where they sign up for tournaments about the new rule! If we change a major rule, there should be a warning, so officials don't have to take all the heat.
If an official isn't right at the court when a 'code' comes up, the smart players will stall just a bit to allow the official to get to the court. The 'dumb' players, well they get what they deserve by not waiting....
Is a reasonable amount of time to reach the court kind of like a reasonable 5 minute bathroom break?
Who stole the references?
Gosh, half the fun of taking the tests was arguing over the references...
Just for giggles remember this does not apply to ITA matches.
I really like the idea of a red warning sign at the tournament desk because there is going to be an uproar when the officials start enforcing this new rule.
The worst scenario would be to give a late code violation to a 50 year old rich attorney. Then the official would end up in court if not beaten up on the court. The rules committee didn't think this one through.
Does that mean we will now have time to wake up those napping officials in Waco, give them time to gain their senses, and then push them off their recliners so they can enforce belated codes?
Just as a thought, did it ever occur to Beetleguise that his comment on a public forum, although harmless and humorously intended could have unintendended and negative consequences for the officials in Waco? Just a thought.
This must be anonymous 7:42's first exposure to the tennis officials blog. Welcome newbie!
I'll Be Right There...
The biggest concern is the parent that learns this new rule and ask you to come to their kids court because the other guy said the F bomb... you go over and ask the Lovely if she said the F bomb and then you code... this could go on all day and think of the FUN....
As for WACO - Notice to Beetle Breath person and ALL other Officials: try honoring the code and ONLY comment publicly on the FACTS that you know.
AND MOST IMPORTANT - clean up your own backyard before you call out other brother/sister Officials!
BACO
Do I sense a spirit of criticism toward the brothers and sisters in Waco? This should prove interesting in the days to come.
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