Quote:
Originally Posted by Dad
I think at a YMCA type of level, where the table doesn't have an arrow or know how to run the clock, just about everyone in the gym wants some kind of assurance AP is being done correctly. Never in my career have I heard anything negative about switching an item in my pocket. I have however heard positive feedback.
Now if I'm doing a 5A state game then I'm probably confident the table will do a great job. In this scenario no one in the gym cares to watch me play around with my pockets and look silly. There I'll just switch gum to a different side of my mouth so no one notices. I'll do that at any level because I've always found it tacky to turn around and look at the table if I space out and forget which way we're going.
These two examples have worked for me.
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In a HS game, I never use the whistle to keep track. It's not about confidence in the table. Rather I look at it like the officials should make sure that the arrow at the table is correct just like you would make sure that the score and/or fouls showing on the scoreboard are correct. If the score or fouls are wrong, then you should have them fixed as soon as it is practical. The same with the arrow. After the tip, check to ensure the clock started and that the arrow is correctly set and then after every held ball, check again. If it needs to be changed, tell the table to switch the arrow as you pass by.
In a youth/rec game, there is rarely even an arrow there so in that case I use a whistle in my pocket. I don't think this is an issue in rec/youth ball.