First, a person (parent, spectator, or undercover junior council member) sitting in the stands cannot know for sure what an official sees or doesn't see. When we are asked to officiate 11 courts (that's the average in Texas tournaments) it is impossible to see every infraction that occurs. Those detractors also need to remember that we are taught from day one that if we DON'T SEE SOMETHING HAPPEN THEN IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. Remember there are parents and players out there who will actually lie to you...
There is also the possibility that a trained official might not deem an offense as codeable when a parent or undercover council member might think it is. Perhaps a little training for the latter would help.
It seems that all the blame for unruly juniors is falling on the officials and that is wrong. It would help if the Discipline and Grievance Committee would mete out stronger penalties and maybe even offer some training in parenting for the parents. We're not out there to raise their disruptive child...
Of course the argument is always raised that we make so much money that we should be able to see every imaginable offense. I would suggest anyone that thinks that come and stand side by side with the official for 12-13 hours (without a break and without lunch being provided) in 105 degree heat and then tell me you think we are overpaid... If you are one of those detractors and would like to do this, just email me and I can find you an assignment that you will love!
I will not lend space in this post about tournament fees and tournament directors' profits--but I can assure you that it is soon coming...
Have a good one.
6 comments:
I beg to differ on your opinion. At a Junior Major Zone tournament in Waco at the Waco Regional Tennis Center, I personally witnessed an official in direct observation of an infraction three courts away where a junior player yells out a loud obscenity and throws his racquet from the net into the back fence. The official quickly turned the other direction (towards me) and briskly walked away.
As he was walking by me, I questioned the official why he didn't access a code violation and he had the gall to tell me he DIDN'T SEE IT. Is the the easy out for you officials? Is this what you are taught in your classes? If so, something must change and this is one reason why the Junior Council has taken an initiative to reign in bad players.
Its not the easy way out but when you are watching 11 courts things happen that you miss. Perhaps the change should be that you do a 2 to 1 court ratio for each official and then you might get the quality of officiating you are looking for.
That is a very silly and defensive answer to the JC Comm Mem question... YES, it does happen and you know it does – officials turn a blind eye sometimes to sticky situations… very few good officials turn and walk away... But, there is no need to NOT TELL THE TRUTH... AND FYI most tournaments do not run one official to 11 courts - that is not true either... AND having people help monitor (including– officials that are not working the tournament) is not a bad thing unless you are an insecure official. Just do the best you can do and see if this program helps any - stop crying – it not about you – it is for the players that are not acting like idiots! I really think you already know this stuff but it sure makes for good blogging at the - expense of others...
I would venture to say that very few officials turn a blind eye to offenses. I think new officials usually tend to jump in when they shouldn't. A good official will do what he/she is hired to do but that comes with years of experience.
As far as the 1/11 courts ratio I hate to disappoint you but I sent out a survey to every area of the state and that was the ratio they sent back. Check your facts before you accuse me of publishing something that isn't true. We have tournaments in Dallas where the ratio is 1/24 so that makes it even harder...
While there is a huge need for more consistent officiating I doubt that the solution is having committee members take over the jobs of officials.
Surely there is a better answer and we will address that this coming week.
Be sure to stay tuned...
I don't know about what happened down in Waco. If JC Comm. Member is correct, then the official made a mistake.
Did you report this incident to the referee? What was the response from the referee? This is how it needs to be handled.
Adding more spies in the bleachers is not the answer.
I've thought about all of the officials I work with on a regular basis. I really cannot think of anyone who would ignore behavior like what was described in Waco. But I'm sure it does happen and when it does, we need to train and correct. Ultimately if someone cannot do the job, then stop using them.
Adding more layers of beuracracy (in the TX Section) is not the answer.
Yes, really. I join told all above. We can communicate on this theme. Here or in PM.
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