Scorers' Table Setup

[APG]

I don't care what end either scorebook is on. As long as the official book and scorer and timer are at the table, we're good to go. Visiting team's book can be there too, and often it's good practice to confirm fouls and the running score, but in the grand scheme, I don't care if they're at the table. As far as the shot clock, we don't use one in Texas, but I'd have the same attitude as that with the timer.

[Back In The Saddle]

I prefer to have the V and H book sit together so they can double-check each other.

[Nevadaref]

Anyone read 2-1-3?

The official scorer and official timer are recommended to be seated next to each other. There is no guidance on the placement of the unofficial members at the table.

[Smitty]

Who cares where they sit? A recommendation is not a requirement. As long as there's a home book and a clock, let's play.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I prefer to have the V and H book sit together so they can double-check each other.

Originally Posted by Smitty

Who cares where they sit?

Personally, I care where they sit. I've seen several incidents that could have been avoided if they were co-located next to each other and not on either side of the clock operator.

I like to approach the table and look em both in the eye and ask if everything is ok and if their books agree? Works for me.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by grunewar

Personally, I care where they sit. I've seen several incidents that could have been avoided if they were co-located next to each other and not on either side of the clock operator.

I like to approach the table and look em both in the eye and ask if everything is ok and if their books agree? Works for me.

And if there is only one person keeping a scorebook for the game does the game always have an incident?

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

And if there is only one person keeping a scorebook for the game does the game always have an incident?

Always? No.

I have seen, meaning not necessarily in a game I've officiated, several occasions where "young" scorekeepers have disagreed in the number of points and fouls and created confusion and issues.

I was keeping the clock once for a JV game and had a very experienced scorebook person for H. Everytime something happened she would say it and repeat it out loud - "Foul, red, two - his first, team's third." "Timeout blue coach, their second, at 4:37." I found this really interesting and useful.

Sometimes having only one book is a good thing too.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Smitty

Who cares where they sit? A recommendation is not a requirement. As long as there's a home book and a clock, let's play.

I happen to care where they sit. If at all possible, I want the official scorer next to the official timer. Then I want the visitor book next to the official scorer. In my opinion, it significantly decreases the chances of errors/discrepancies between the books.

I don't get worked up about it at sub-V games, but if I'm the R on V games I always ask them to do it this way. If nothing else, this request lets them know I'm serious about them doing a good job and expect them to communicate with each other throughout the game.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

If at all possible, I want the official scorer next to the official timer.

In a varsity game, have you ever noticed that the official scorer did not sit next to the official timer? Have you ever had to jump in there and move people around to make this happen?

As far as the visiting scorekeeper, if they want to sit closer to their bench and that happens to not be next to the home scorekeeper, that's fine with me.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Smitty

In a varsity game, have you ever noticed that the official scorer did not sit next to the official timer? Have you ever had to jump in there and move people around to make this happen?

As far as the visiting scorekeeper, if they want to sit closer to their bench and that happens to not be next to the home scorekeeper, that's fine with me.

The scorer almost always sits by the timer. But I prefer for the books to also sit next to each other and ask them to do so if the table setup allows it.

And before Nevada steps in and tells me I have no authority to make them do so, I understand that. But I ask them to and explain my reason. It's worked very well for me so far.