Know It All Scorer

Rev.Ref63 · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 15, 2001, 12:46pm

Last night, during a J/V game, we had an overly zealous scorer. Everytime my partner or I would call a foul or award a time-out, the scorer would anticipate the call and record it in the book before we ever got to the table. As we reported the foul or time-out, the scorer would just sit there and shake his head affirming that he already had the info. I actually watched him record the call in the book before it was reported. Granted, many times it is obvious who committed the foul and undoubtedly they are aware of who called the timeout. But, isn't that unappropriate for a scorer?

Doug · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 15, 2001, 12:49pm

no scorer i ever had be that smart to even try to do that. maybe that is a good thing

crew · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 15, 2001, 02:02pm

in the nba announcers sometimes announce who fouled and what the foul was before the officials report. they are very good. the nba guys seem to like it.

Sven · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 15, 2001, 02:54pm

Rev.Ref63:

This sounds like the work of an inexperienced scorer.

I've been workiing both sides of the table, so to speak, for over ten years. When keeping score, I'll sometimes nod to the official immediately after the report just to let him/her know I understand. Even though I may be in a hurry to record the information, I try to hold eye contact as long as he/she does.

Never would I anticipate the call; been burnt too many times.

Plus, I use a pen.

Sven

Mark Padgett · #5 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 15, 2001, 03:29pm

Next time, try this. After calling a foul, go toward the table and say, "Blue (pick a color neither team is wearing) 66, illegal crackback block. 15 yard penalty and the goalie is seatbelted for violation of the infield fly rule."

See what he does then.

Tim Roden · #6 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 15, 2001, 03:49pm

Mark, have you been working with Dave again?:-)

Spaman_29 · #7 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 16, 2001, 12:58am

Most scorers know who fouled because of either you bird-dogging or of how a player reacts. I usually tell them in the pre-game to humor us and at least look at us report. This will usually get a chuckle but unless there is a problem don't worry about it.

williebfree · #8 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 16, 2001, 02:41am

All of us (especially those who work lower level games) can quickly identify how miserable life can be when you have a timer and/or scorer who obviously are NOT interested in what is happening on the court.

If you have a scorer who is "anticipating the report" and honestly listens when you do report, LIFE IS GOOD. Consider the alternative.

bossref · #9 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 16, 2001, 06:13am

Most scorekeepers care and will do
the right thing.
The best you can do is go to your spot
and report as if they are giving you eye-contact.

War story from long ago:
Young female (20) married to coach,is the scorer.
When asked "How many team fouls?", her response
was "We're not in the bonus yet." This happened
every time I worked that school. After using several
different approaches without success, I gave up.
Some people are stubborn and think they have
the power.
It wouldn't be productive or professional to
cause a scene, and now many, many years later,
we interface in a business sense.
I'm glad I didn't force the issue.
Don't burn bridges.
Don't fight unecessary battles.

co2ice · #10 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 16, 2001, 12:33pm

A couple of weeks ago had a scorer running the possession arrow who wanted to point the arrow at the bench so "he" could keep it straight who got the ball next jump. I told him to set it the direction of travel and he said "hey you guys work for me, who signs your paycheck?" My response was as long as I'm on the court and I'm wearing the stripes you are working for me. Besideds I dont recall your name ever being on my check. Come to find out this guy was the head coach of the girls varsity team at the school where I was working. I did win the debate and got paid!!!

Mark Dexter · #11 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 16, 2001, 12:37pm

Quote:

Originally posted by co2ice
A couple of weeks ago had a scorer running the possession arrow who wanted to point the arrow at the bench so "he" could keep it straight who got the ball next jump. I told him to set it the direction of travel and he said "hey you guys work for me, who signs your paycheck?" My response was as long as I'm on the court and I'm wearing the stripes you are working for me. Besideds I dont recall your name ever being on my check. Come to find out this guy was the head coach of the girls varsity team at the school where I was working. I did win the debate and got paid!!!

At least he was consistant. The worst is the scorers who switch the arrow either after the throw-in is released or, even worse, switches the arrow before the player even has the ball for the throw-in.

BktBallRef · #12 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 16, 2001, 01:10pm

I've had more problems this year with the AP arrow than ever before. Had a giy a couple of nights ago that wanted to point the arrow towards the team's bench, not their basket.

BTW, when I ask a scorer what the team fouls are, I don't want to know if we're in the bonus or not. I want to know what the team fouls are. If I didn't, I wouldn't have asked. I don't have to make a scene to find out. But the good news is that I'm getting better at remembering without the help of the scorer or board.

Mark Dexter · #13 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 16, 2001, 01:25pm

I get that in intramurals, too.

How many fouls on B?

"We're not at the 1 and 1 yet."

You ask again and again, then just drop it and hope they get it right when it's time for the 1 and 1.

BktBallRef · #14 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 16, 2001, 02:02pm

I don't drop it. I simply walk over to the table and very professionally ask them how many team fouls there are or I look at the book myself.

I don't want to know when we get to 7. I want to know when we get to 6, so that I'm prepared to get the shooter when the next foul is called. That way, I don't get caught wondering, "Oh $hit, who got fouled?"

JRutledge · #15 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 16, 2001, 04:59pm

If the scorer has his/her head in the book when you are trying to report the foul just stand there. Wait until the scorer or the other table people realizes that you are just standing there. Then report your foul. Then after you have done that, go directly to the table and tell him/her, "it is not a foul until I or my partner(s) report it."

Who cares if you birddog or not, I have been on the floor and did not realize who exactly my partner called a foul on. I tell the table that this is a "pet-peeve" of mine to get across the point that I am the one that reports the fouls, they just record it.

In my first year, I had two players with the same number guarding each other. We called several fouls between the two, and the scorer put the wrong #45 in the book after he began to start writing after I called a foul. Well it happen to be the home team player, and he was fouled out of the game with 4 fouls (5 in the book). But it was too late because it was not until later in the game it was realized. Too late then to start assuming what happen 2 quarters ago. This has never happen to me since.

Peace