Post game scorebook error discovered

[HoopsRefJunior]

I understand this topic has been discussed on this forum before, but a discussion with a pair of recent partners has me thinking....

Our association also had an incident like this occur in a recent HS Ninth Grade tournament....

SITCH:

Final minute of close game. During a timeout, the crew checks with the official book to make sure everything is accurate for the final seconds. They are assured of accuracy and that the score on the board matches the score in the official book.

The game concludes with Team A winning by one point. The officials leave the visual confines of the floor under the assumption they have a one-point decision and had confirmed its accuracy in the final minute.

Hours later, it is discovered that the official book contained a scoring error and (A) Team B actually won by one point ---- or (B) the game was actually tied at the end of regulation.


QUESTIONS:

1. Do the game officials have any responsibility at this point or is this an appeal situation to whatever athletic governing body is involved?

2. Is there anything else this crew could have done to prevent this situation? In close games, I make it a habit to check with the table crew and make sure we have everything accurate for the final seconds. Like the crew in this situation, however, I assume the official bookkeeper's verbal confirmation of accuracy is enough.

[Mark Padgett]

I always keep track by counting the points myself as they occur. The problem is that whenever a team reaches eleven, I have to take my shoes off.

[chartrusepengui]

I can't believe the crowd and visiting scorer didn't let an official know that there was something wrong. When a visiting scorebook and official scorebook don't match up - I will always go over the home book and add points etc myself to verify what the scorekeeper has is correct.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by HoopsRefJunior

QUESTIONS:

1. Do the game officials have any responsibility at this point or is this an appeal situation to whatever athletic governing body is involved?

Once the officials leave the court, the game score is approved and nothing under the current rules will change that. Of course a state or governing body could take some action, but it is not likely.

Originally Posted by HoopsRefJunior

2. Is there anything else this crew could have done to prevent this situation? In close games, I make it a habit to check with the table crew and make sure we have everything accurate for the final seconds. Like the crew in this situation, however, I assume the official bookkeeper's verbal confirmation of accuracy is enough.

Not really. If no one brings to the attention of the crew that something is wrong, officials are not going to have any idea. Even if officials ask the table people, they are not responsible for what they tell them. And this is the reason you have a visiting team book and you have the scorer and the timer sitting together for a reason. Someone has to try to get that information correct. The officials are responsible for what goes on the court, not the stats of the game.

Peace

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

I always keep track by counting the points myself as they occur. The problem is that whenever a team reaches eleven, I have to take my shoes off.

Please don't tell us what happens when they reach twenty-one.

[shishstripes]

Make sure the running score (the official score) in the official book matches the scoreboard (unofficial). When the official scorer and clock keeper communicate throughout the game with points awarded, score, team fouls, individual fouls, etc. good things tend to happen. Individual totals are meaningless and are unofficial, which could be the only thing caught "hours later".

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Please don't tell us what happens when they reach twenty-one.

OK, I won't. But I have had some people remark on how big a number 21 turned out to be.

[ref2coach]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

OK, I won't. But I have had some people remark on how big a number 21 turned out to be.

Mark the bookkeeper (your cousin) said it was 21 pico meters.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Once the officials leave the court, the game score is approved and nothing under the current rules will change that.

We had two officials come back out from their locker room to address a similar situation several years ago. It wasn't pretty. Not only did it make the local newspapers, it made all the larger newspapers in the state.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

I can't believe the crowd and visiting scorer didn't let an official know that there was something wrong. When a visiting scorebook and official scorebook don't match up - I will always go over the home book and add points etc myself to verify what the scorekeeper has is correct.

The problem is going back to the INDIVIDUAL SCORES. The home team RUNNING SCORES, the visiting team RUNNING SCORES and the Scoreboard need to match.

It is pretty darn rare that a mistake displayed on the bulbs goes unnoticed for more than say 10 seconds or so. Most scoreboards don't have individual points listed. Errors that are confirmed by "adding the individual scores" are far less accurate than confirming the above three scores (with the understanding that the home team RUNNING SCORES are the official score).

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

It is pretty darn rare that a mistake displayed on the bulbs goes unnoticed for more than say 10 seconds or so.

Agree. Certainly one of the few instances where parents yelling at officials from the bleachers can have a positive effect on the game.