vol2, issue3
AMTO E-News
March
2010
Care and Feeding
Referees, that
assignment is not done until those administrative matters are
resolved - admittedly not the exciting part of being Referee,
but important nevertheless. Follow up to ensure Umpires receive
reimbursement for time and effort. We're addressing this subject by
better process support to AMTO's Treasurer, but
we Referees must ensure timely notice of work hours for officials. [When
I rove I appreciate it.] Use the recently published invoice template to effect that. If you're solo Roving Umpire - one
of those direct-hires by a Club - be a good customer
and ensure hours are timely invoiced per the AMTO invoice
form to the Tournament organization and ensure Treasurer of AMTO
at dulaneytennis@aol.com is
informed.
Observe assigned courts. Recognize conflict
situations. Be a timely presence when play doesn't resume, intercede
if progress unlikely, and render a considered decision to return to play.
We may be called to a court to deal with
confrontation. Rapid resolution - before things escalate or delay is
excessive - is the goal. But that may be difficult if emotions
are high. So how to proceed? Well
1st, we have some influence because if that bi-color shirt we wear.
But we'll need more; back that up with knowledge of the rules
and a confident manner. Set the stage for civility;
establish an environment conducive to conflict resolution. Ensure
players are on proper sides of the net; it's a natural barrier to in-your-face
posturing. Encourage players to lower volume; it promotes
a calmer attitude, and, besides, matches in-progress on adjacent courts don't
deserve the distraction. And insist players tone down the rhetoric;
name calling will impede acceptance of a ruling and extend conflict.
Remember those magic words: "Let's play."
MD MIXED -
MD ADULT - venue tba July
16 - 19
MD SENIOR - Frederick August 20 - 22
MD COMBO - Frederick October 8 - 10
MAS MIXED -
MAS ADULT -
MAS SENIOR, SRMXD, SPRDPR -
MAS SUPER SENIOR -
Plus
MD
MD Jr Team Tennis - TCCP
6-0 /
6-0
Well, that may not have been exciting, but
a love game, set or match has nothing to do with our umpire's
responsibility. FAC advises all points are equally important to
us; 15-all in the 2nd game or 10-all in match tiebreak. Whatever we
do, we can't get an attitude that says we can relax for any
moment of that shift hour we're on court. Never phone it in.
Just when your focus wanes, there will be an incident that will have needed
your full attention. If players don't notice, spectators may.
If spectators don't notice, Referee may. If Referee doesn't notice,
we should know by pangs to our conscience that we gave the players
less than they deserve.
Scenario puzzle for self-education
February
question: Player 'A's 2nd serve is returned wide down the line
by doubles opponent player 'B'. 'B's partner demands re-play
pointing out he wasn't ready due to recovering a casually netted return by
'B' of 'A's 1st serve fault. Player 'A's team claims the
point. You're called to court to deal with the confusion, what's the
correct ruling?
February answer:
Serving team wins the point. When Player 'A' ensures receiver
is ready, receiving team is considered ready. Receiver's
partner is a responsibility of receiver, not server; if receiver's
partner needs more time, then receiver must not become ready, making a
clear message to server. Points played in good faith stand.
[FAC Rule 26]
March question: Server serves
a line drive 1st serve which clips the net. Receiver, while standing
behind the baseline, catches the ball on the fly, discards it to the
back fence and calls 'fault; 2nd serve'. Server claims the point.
You're called to the court for a ruling. Who's correct?
note: the amto
officials website www.marylandtennisofficials.com includes e-newsletters.