1. Welcome to SportsJournalists.com, a friendly forum for discussing all things sports and journalism.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register for a free account to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Access to private conversations with other members.
    • Fewer ads.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

At what point should you as a reporter point out the wrong call was made?

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Spartan Squad, Mar 25, 2014.

  1. boundforboston

    boundforboston Well-Known Member

    If you reported those things, did you couch it by saying something like "the shot appeared to hit just the rim and not go in" or did you report the official blew the call? Thoughts from others on what's right in this situation?
     
  2. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    I had this happen to me while covering a prep hoops game my first year on the job. The coaches were arguing with the scorer's table and someone pointed out that I was taking running scoring and they asked me what score I had. I had 26-24 and the scoreboard said 26-22, but I said, "Don't get me involved in this, you're the official scorer."

    Fortunately, the game was decided by more than one basket, but the coach of the losing team was pissed and called my preps editor. He was assuming (correctly) that my notes would have given him the extra basket. Fortunately, my preps editor put him in his place and said, "It's not our job to fix mistakes the official scorer made."
     
  3. MisterCreosote

    MisterCreosote Well-Known Member

    Reporting that an official blew the call is not in any way libelous, presuming there's video or photos to prove it, so I don't know why you wouldn't report it as such.
     
  4. 93Devil

    93Devil Well-Known Member

    If you are willing to say a ref blew the call, are you willing to ask the winning coach if he feels the win means less because the other team would have won if a call was not blown?

    There are many possessions, at bats, swings and other things in every game. If you played a perfect game, then complain about the refs.
     
  5. MisterCreosote

    MisterCreosote Well-Known Member

    No, because all wins "mean" the same in the record book no matter how they come about.
     
  6. 93Devil

    93Devil Well-Known Member

    Good and bad calls are part of the game just like bounces of the ball. You don't want a single call make you lose a game? Win by 10.
     
  7. LongTimeListener

    LongTimeListener Well-Known Member

    I'd be very surprised if there was photo or video of this high school tennis match that started the thread.
     
  8. MisterCreosote

    MisterCreosote Well-Known Member

    So be it. Still, I'd likely insist on such proof as a CYA move, not because I don't trust my reporter.
     
  9. MisterCreosote

    MisterCreosote Well-Known Member

    Armando Galarraga wanted to pitch a perfect game. If he didn't want a single call to make him lose it, he should've told Miguel Cabrera to field the ball and throw it to first base three seconds earlier.

    No need to report that.
     
  10. DeskMonkey1

    DeskMonkey1 Active Member

    I think the impact of the call plays a role in if it gets reported. A ball called for strike 1 in a 4-1 game shouldn't be reported.

    A called strike 3, clearly outside the strike zone, to end the game, causing the batter and manager to lose his shit, report that.

    However, if nobody disputes it, then let it go in your gamer.

    But in most cases, I'd say leave it for your column.
     
  11. trifectarich

    trifectarich Well-Known Member

    Maybe this was the only missed call in this match and others had several; it's a slippery slope to point out one when you have no idea how much of problem this is or isn't.
     
  12. mjp1542

    mjp1542 Member

    If you have ever covered high school tennis, you would see that all players call their own lines. At least that's the case in every state I've come across. Even if there is an official watching the court, he doesn't intervene unless a player asks him/her to.

    Here in Jersey, you'll see officials at major regular-season matches and at state tournament matches. But this is ONE OFFICIAL covering all five courts. He/she is there "just in case" they are needed.

    When there is no official, you're at the mercy of your opponent. Maybe surprisingly to some, tennis players are pretty fair. Most will give their opponent the benefit of the doubt on a close call because they don't want to be questioned. You can challenge a call -- which is basically one player asking the other, "Are you sure about that?" If the player is sure, that's it. It's done. A 50/50 call cannot be overruled (although I've seen coaches overrule their own players a couple of times if it's an especially egregious call).

    And with regards to this being part of the tennis culture, it certainly is all over the world. Even watching the pros, you'll sometimes see them see a close shot and they'll raise their pointer finger (the universal sign for an out-call in tennis). It's instinctual.

    As a reporter, and I've been there many times, if you see a ball called out that was clearly in, and it has a poignant effect on the match, you have to discuss it in the story. Something like, "The match turned at 4-all, 30-all in the second set. Smith curled a forehand down the line that appeared to fall inside the baseline, but Jones saw it as out. Jones earned the break one point later and went on to a 6-4, 7-5 triumph." Then get a quote or paraphrase the player's view of the point. Much like golfers, tennis players remember almost every shot/point.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page