[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I have had several tables tell us after we've put the ball in play that white 34 had 5 fouls. This makes us look bad as a crew, so if there's anything I can do to avoid looking bad (well, ok, there's nothing I can do about my looks, but you know what I mean ), I will do it. As far as what I do differently, if I know white 34 has just committed their 5th, I may wait an extra moment at the table until they notify me, or, I may even ask them if that's #34's 5th. Most of the time the table realizes it is the 5th, and I've avoided putting the ball in play too early. There was one time I thought it was the player's 5th, asked the table, and the scorer told me, "Nope, it was their 4th". Put the ball in play, the other team was dribbling up the court, (no FT's, thank goodness), and the table hits the horn. The scorer was apologizing left and right (literally; he was apologizing to both benches), and we got the player out and the game re-started without a problem.

Obviously, the better the table crew, the less likely I need to worry about this. But it has just become a bit of a habit I've picked up to avoid a possible messy situation.

I completely understand your thinking on this, but what amazes me is how several people have claimed that this has happened enough times to make them concerned about it.

This is my 5th year officiating. I can recall only once, and that was a MS game, where we actually got the ball in play before being notified of 5 fouls...I guess I'm just lucky!