Interesting (to me, anyway) Rules Question

[Tom In Cincy]

Buddy,
A player does not have any recourse (in most tournaments) after a TD makes the decision.

My question was what recourse does a player have after the referee and TD have made a decision the player feels is debatable?

We have to admit, the BCAL rules are not the dominating rule set yet, but I am sure it will be gaining popularity with more players seeing the benefits of how well the rules are explained and the addition of the 'intent' and diagrams being used.

Thanks for your recent posts on Rules clarifications for the BCAL.

Too bad the other orgs don't feel their rules need to be PUBLICLY scrutinized.

In BCAPL play your recourse, including procedures and whom will make the decision, is specifically and thouroughly addressed in BCAPL Rule 9.4. In most tournaments, the TD will be the end of the line. In most league play the League Operator will be the end of the line. At BCAPL national events, Mr. Bill Stock or his designate is the end of the line.

Buddy Eick

 

[tatcat2000]

Buddy,
My question was what recourse does a player have after the referee and TD have made a decision the player feels is debatable?

Usually - none.

In short, a player must enter the event with the faith that whomever is at the end of the line has, or has access to in a timely manner, the proper knowledge and experience to reach a conscientious decision. And, especially if they are relying on help, the willingness to consider all points of view, and not simply cave in by default to whatever the referee said.

That last option happens all too often, and is the reason that BCAPL rule 9.4.3 prohibits BCAPL referees from participating in a tournament both as an active referee and as TD. It is a blatant conflict of interest and completely unfair to the player, and presents the spectre of the referees "protecting their own". In training we hammer it home hard that if a BCAPL ref is acting only as TD that they must divorce themselves from the enforcement mind-set and conscientiously act only as a judge.

BCAPL referees are also prohibited by BCAPL Rule 9.4.4 from making on-the-fly interpretations if there is no clear guidance from the rules. That is the job of the TD on the spot, and the BCAPL National Office in the long run.

If, after carefully considering all options, the TD supports the referee's ruling, then so be it. But for a TD, as happens all too often, to simply say "whatever the ref said is right - he's the expert" is nothing short of the TD becoming just a bracket manager. And while managing brackets often requires a great deal of experience and skill to do effectively, it is not the proper complete job description of a TD.

Finally, if you feel that you have been the victim of a bad decision by the person at the end of the line, the best you can do is to (preferably after the match or after the tournament) diplomatically suggest that they further research the subject so that they may reach a different decision the next time. For BCAPL events, the BCAPL National Office is always ready to assist anyone with questions concerning rulings.

Alternately, of course, a player might consider admitting to themselves that the TD was right, and allow themselves to accept a different opinion than their own.

Buddy

 

[shinobi]

Great comments, thanks muchly.