AMTO E-News
July 2009
Take care what you say and
to whom.
During our Mixed
Districts in June, several incidents of "official-baiting" occurred,
and this may happen with some regularity. Nothing serious - players
and spectators were having fun and simply attempting to be cute. But
it's a good learning point. Best not to engage in
excessive banter - or confrontation - with spectators or players.
No remarks of a personal nature about another official, player, spectator or
yourself; however provoked, stay with rules and language of tennis.
If you give advice it may be interpreted as coaching. If you offer
match critique or commentary someone may conclude it's evidence
of bias. If you admit or apologize for imagined mistakes your
candor may prompt a protest or grievance. Further, do not be tempted
to make statements in public forums such as blogs and
discussion groups. And obtain explicit permission from the referee and
tournament director before speaking about tennis issues - on or off record
- with any press representative.
What are you worth?
Ever wonder about your MD wage scale
compared with other sports officials? It may be ours
isn't on a par; for reference, our currently suggested scale for AMTO
officials is $135 per day for referees, $125 for deputy referees,
$100 for rovers and $15 per hr over 10 hrs. VA District scale for tennis
officials is $165 per day for referees, $135 for deputy referees and $115
for rovers, plus $17 per hr over 10 hrs. ITA uses an even different
scale. Then again it's difficult to conclude much about work equivalency
especially with other sports. But for what it's worth, as reported in "Referee"
magazine July and August issues, NCAA Division II basketball tournament
officials received $300 per game + per diem
and travel for a regional tournament. Division
II football officials $250 / game + per diem and travel. NCAA
Division III soccer officials received $166 per game + per diem
and travel. Now that I know, I'm still not sure what conclusion to reach.
Association business . . .
Elections are imminent. Up this 'odd'
year are AMTO Committee officers - Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and
Treasurer. (Area reps election is next year.) Incumbents are,
respectively, Frank Wilson, Dave Pullen, Cecelia Howell, and Sharon
Spangenberg. The process will work like this: Your Area Reps - Dave
Pullen, Betty Stanges, Garth Finney, Dorothy Penner,
Dave DeGrafft and Jerry Boyer - will forward majority-vote
nominations to the Secretary in late August. Secretary will distribute
ballots (with spaces for write-ins) to the AMTO Council - that is, all
members - by mid September. Member voting period closes early
October, and the Secretary announces the results in mid-October. Results
must be known by the MD District annual meeting and awards dinner on 24
October. New officers 2-year terms begin
Reminder from the USTA newsletter . .
.
A doctor’s
signature on an officials 2009 data card is a
prerequisite for certification for 2010; the line the doctor needs to
sign is located at bottom front of the card. By signing the card the your doctor attests to corrected
20/20 vision. Data cards are due October 15 to Sectional
Chairperson - Jim.
Scenario Puzzle for Self-Education
June's answer:
Don't ask referee A for release even though you did not initiate the
transaction; he / she will be sorely annoyed. Trust me on this one.
It's reasonable - even desirable - for Referee B to seek relief in this
way, but A and B may speak directly, and A should
comply if possible.
July's
question: Player A arrives 4 minutes late and is assessed a penalty -
loss of toss and 1 game - with explanation by Referee to players and
captains. Tournament Director later asks for a Roving Umpire - you -
to check on that match. When you arrive at court, you find Player A leads 2: love. Player B explains "I
didn't take the game, because I don't want to win that way." Do you
intervene or make a call?