On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS August 15, 2016 #606 Up next… “In Search of Perfection”
After further review…In an opening Women’s Beach Volleyball Match during the XXXI Olympiad, China was playing Switzerland. China won the first set 24-22; the Swiss took the second set 21-18, forcing a third set. In that third set, which recognizes the match winner as the first team to reach 15 points, China was leading 14-11 when a double-net violation occurred, meaning that a player from each T*E*A*M touched the net. As I understand it, in a double net violation, the player who touches the net first is the only culpable party. China won that point on the on the original judgment that a Swiss player had touched the net. China wins 15-11! However, the Swiss players complained to the umpire that China had also touched the net.
The chair umpire, it appeared to this viewer, made no decision, but immediately pointed to her right (with both arms) toward the location of the video replay booth, indicating that video replay would supply the evidence to make the decision. We, the viewing audience, waited for what seemed like an eternity. The video replay crew then reported to the chair umpire that the Swiss player touched the net first, and thus China had won the point, the set, and the match.
While the Chinese celebrated, the Swiss continued to protest—apparently to no avail. Back to you, Bob Costas in the studio, who then introduced NBC’s Tom Brokaw. The veteran newsman set out on a previously recorded boat tour of the Amazon, with beautiful pictures and a thoughtful narrative. But wait! About five minutes into the tour, back came Costas with “We have an update from that match.” And back to the Copacabana beach we went.
“We have a reversal of the video decision!” The “reversal” apparently affirmed that a Chinese player had touched the net first, thus negating the victory and awarding the point to the Swiss. This made the score China 14, Switzerland 12, with the Swiss now serving. China won that point, 15-12, and with it the set and the match! What went on in that replay booth that caused the reversal? Do we allow some leeway here, since these officials are not full-time? Why didn’t the chair umpire make a determination before going to replay? Did the all-seeing eye simplify or complicate the situation?
Will you log-in on your thoughts about on-court decisions vs replay?
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The TunneySide takes issues each week from the sports world and transforms them into positive messages for better living. His books and audio tapes are available at the above email. Thank You!
