So, wonder what's behind the judging problems at the World Cup (if they're real, which they seem to be from multiple reports)? Is it incompetent judges? Is it lack of co-ordinated effort and consistency? Is it favoritism? Is it too much partying by the judges? Is it the heat and dehydration? Or is it lack of sufficient number of judges per field?
If it's too few judges per field then PSP have their back sides covered. Just checked the NPPL rules to be reminded that only four (4) judges are required per 5-player! And six (6) for 10-player. Compare that to Millenniums eight (8) for 7-player.
If you ask me that is scandalous. If there are so few, that is an open invitation to cheat and play on! In today's amoralistic sport milieu a player would be considered an idiot not to take advantage of such a wide-open opportunity.
No wonder the quality of judging seems so much better in Millennium. IMO a standard should be a minimum of one judge for every two players plus one. That would mean 6 for 5-player, 11 for 10-player, and 8 for 7-player. Maybe even 8 for 5-player, 12 for 10-player and 9 or 10 for 7.
I know that even with 8 on Millennium fields we are stretched beyond our limits quite often. There are many bunkering/push situations that we can simply not keep up with, the result being that both players get pulled when perhaps one was clearly marked first.
What numbers are sufficient for the various formats before judges start getting in the way?
Also, think about how the judging is usually dealt with. We are usually handed our reffing jerseys, scoresheets and water bottles and told which field to go to. No briefing, co-ordinating of efforts or encouragement about consistency.
So I again refer to the suggestions about new rules and improvements in the judging standards in the thread "Enforcing the rules..." You journalists and people who have influence, push for definite improvement. Sounds like things are getting worse instead of better.
I hope we don't get reports like this from the X games.
Steve
