Seems that every parent these days has either a video camera or a phone that takes videos--and they are so impressed with their child's tennis abilities that they want to keep it forever...The problem is that not all other parents are so thrilled with their desires!
SCENARIO
In a 12 and under boys tournament, a mother decided to video her son's match; however, the mother of his opponent refused to play unless the video was outlawed. After much verbal confrontation and confusion, the referee and tournament director decided to forbid the video.
Was this the correct ruling in Texas???
Not according to the rules used by the USTA and the Texas Section.
Here is the ruling on this issue:
" The videotaping /photography for personal non-commercial purposes of any portion of a sanctioned USTA event is permissable under the law, much like any event in a public place (Zoo, Park, Mall, etc) If a parent or party objects to their player being photographed, they may ask the TD to intercede on their behalf and request that any photographer stop photographing or reposition their camera to exclude their player. However, other than optional compliance or respectful consideration , there are no grounds to DENY anyone the right to photograph"
The issue has arisen in tournaments in Austin in the past (and I'm sure in many other areas) but perhaps the USTA should send out a written policy to ALL TOURNAMENT REFEREES so they will be consistent in their rulings.
Special note: Our illustrious ITA and seasoned referee, Vickie Wright, got the ruling correct when questioned about this issue in Austin.
TONGUE IN CHEEK HUMOR
It seems that some who read the blog get their "panties in a wad" over most anything so its delightful fun to just pitch some statement or some statistic out there for them to chew on... Its great fun to watch the hyperbole and overreactions.
Perhaps some in our tennis world need to learn what "tongue in cheek" means.
10 comments:
I have had parents/coaches mount their video camera on top of back chainlink fence, centered behind service line on single tripod. Let's say both parties do not agree to taping but you allow it anyway. The one who has opposed it takes a high lob as a return shot. He hits the fence going for it. The mounted camera falls on his head and the player is seriously injured. Parents want to sue. Who is liable?
The rule does not specify "handheld" devices.
Secondly, is the mounted camera a visual hindrance ?
One of the most valid points was made by the mother who objected to the video being taken of her 12 year old son.
She didn't want pictures of her son appearing somewhere on the internet for some pedophile lurking around.
I tend to agree but not sure what the right solution might be.
If a kid gets hit on the head with a camera I would suggest suing in this order:
1. The owner of the camera.
2. The USTA.
3. The owner of the courts.
4. The city in which it was held.
5. The driver of the car that drove by the courts when the camera fell.
Who cares!!!!
Rumor has it the Big 12 is going to use mounted cameras to record the chair umpires in action this year as a way to weed out the remaining bad officials.
Wonder if that Big 12 camera would have caught the umpire last season who failed to get down out of the chair and change balls between 1st and 2nd sets? At the end of the changeover, one player picked up the old balls off the court, came over to the chair, and was clearly heard asking the umpire if they could open a new can for the 2nd set.
Wonder what this umpire's score was from the National T/E and which chair academy they attended? Last season's new guidelines at work . . . . .
That will never happen - there is no method to the highering or not hiring - it is a random as a good glass of wine...
The rumors of some Big 12 umpires being shown the door have been circulating for years, and then still only to come to naught. I suspect this latest rumor has the same end.
If the mommy doesn';t want video of her kid appearing on the internet, she better lock little Junior in his bedroom for the rest of his life. He could get videoed anywhere these days. No parent would want their child to pique the interest of a pedophile, but demanding that a video be stopped at a tennis tournamanet is pretty lame. Besides, within a couple of years, l'il Junior will be posting his own videos on the net.
The only reason those mommies don't want their little brats to be recorded is because they are afraid their cheating and bad behavior would be documented. Everybody knows it is absurd even to think that anybody is going to expose those videos for pedophiles. They are just looking for an excuse. If you can record at the Zoo, you can record your child’s match at the tournament you paid for.
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