Here is an interesting scenario that one of our readers sent in this week:
Of course, everything that could go wrong did. . . but here in lies the learning experience. The second round matches in the singles consolation had started the first weekend with a match format of best of two tiebreak sets with a deciding 10-point match tiebreak if sets were split. So the kids were to finish playing that round in that format. However, one team was playing an 8-game proset, and the three other remaining matches were playing the correct format. The error was discovered at 6-3.
What is the remedy for this?
1. Finish out the proset and end it there (honor the format that both kids initially understood) and tough beans if it is unfair for their next round opponent who is in a longer match format and battling it out?
2. Finish out the proset and count it as the first set of the match and then revert back to the original format as everyone else was playing?
3. Award the first set to the "winner" of the set at 6-2 (which was the original "set score" win) and count the first game of the second set as won by the opponent so that all games played in good faith stand?
4. Award the first set to the winner of the set at 6-3, which was the score the error was discovered at and all games still stand as played in good faith? Start the second set at 0-0 so that the players have a clean slate?
5. Something else?
Furthermore, the kids who were playing in the two sets with a match tiebreak, wanted to change their formats to the 8-game proset if they could because they didn't want to be at a disadvantage later, and one match was already in the second set. All of the matches happened to be in a row with all of the parents now upset in addition.
7 comments:
It'd lean to option 3. Match score is 6-2, 0-1. Finish the second set & TB if needed. Passout tissues to any crybabies. And make sure all subsequent players are given correct instructions when they check in at the tournament desk.
I tend to lean toward option 4.
The correct answer is "1" according to my interpretation of FAC. Since the mistake was not made until AFTER the first set should have been finished, then the error remains uncorrected for the duration of the match.
If everyone was playing in "good faith" and we (official) found out that one match was not playing the format everyone else was playing - then we switch them to the new format ONLY because they have not shook hands and the score allows the easy UNDERSTANDABLE switch - which CLEARLY is 62, 01. All games count and all matches are fair under the format. If you leave it at 63 - and not moving that game to the next set - they may play one extra game due to not knowing the format...why would anyone be mad?
Randy, that picture of the umpire chair you use all the time is getting a little old.
Sorry about that. I'll try to find a new one for whoever you are...
#3
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