Was it my fault?

[chartrusepengui]

Situation: T'd up a coach for unsportsmanlike in the 1st quarter. 3rd quarter started and I called a foul on player #3. Coach proceded to substitute player. 5 minutes go by and the coach attempts to re-enter #3, at which time the table calls me over and informs me the #3 had 5 fouls. I inform the coach and he disagrees with the number of fouls. He claims the player only had 3 at half time and that he made a purpose of checking before going into the locker room. I ask the scorer if this is correct and she disagrees and says he had 4 fouls. I inform the coach again the sheet reads five and the player cannot enter. The coach gets upset and I assess a second T and an ejection.

I question 2 things: Should I be checking the scoresheet at halftime and verifying players who are in foul trouble?

Yes you should be checking book at halftime when switching possession arrow and I ask at that time if the books are matching so that the unofficial book can make any necessary changes and inform their coach of them. It is not the officials responsibility to identigy which individual players are in foul trouble or to inform coaches of them.

and should I have given the second technical considering the situation?

If he was out of control - you have to give the T and eject. However - if you believe he was surprised and truly thought his player only should have 4 fouls and is upset as a result you might try to difuse the situation first telling him that there is no way that you can keep track of individual fouls and you have to go by the official book unless you have direct knowledge of an error. If an error was made it is unfortunate but since you have no direct knowledge of an error and he needs to calm down so that the game can go forward from this point. He knows this - but given the time it takes to explain quickly - perhaps he would calm down enough that a second 'T' and ejection would not be necessary.

the scorer was a volunteer parent who didn't seem to have much experience.

Unfortunate but not all that uncommon.

[BillyMac]

No easy answer or method for an official to check fouls on an individual player, but:

1) Are both books the same?
2) Are both scorekeepers at the table?
3) Do the number of individual fouls equal the total number of team fouls in either/both book(s)?
4) Are there any distictions between first half and second half fouls in either/both book(s), some scorekeepers change a slash into an "X" during halftime?
5) Has either/both scorekeeper(s) shown any evidence of having problems correctly keeping score up until that point, i.e. not paying attention?

These suggestions may help you figure out if that player has indeed fouled out, but it still going to be messy.

[Mark Padgett]

The only time you should be concerned with how many fouls an individual player has is when he gets his fifth (or second technical). NEVER check on the number of player fouls other than that. The last thing you need is for a coach to think you did or did not call a foul on a player because he either had very few fouls or a lot of fouls.

[Adam]

I never check with fouls. The only numbers I'm concerned with on fouls are 5, 7, and 10.

[refnrev]

I agree with Padgett -- anyone who knows croquet well enought to officiate it and can get his name in the headlines and on the internet because of his mailbox is not to be messed with! Add to the fact that he is right on target. As for Snaqs, don't you think you might want to remember the number 2 as well?

[Ref Daddy]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I never check with fouls. The only numbers I'm concerned with on fouls are 5, 7, and 10.

Very nice ..... 5 - player disqualification, 7 - one-and-one, 10- double bonus.

Good simple table instructions too.