OUT!

I watched a referee video a few days ago going into detail about some new rules regarding out calls and appeals. It was sort of interesting, but something occurred to me as he demonstrated a player hitting a close-call ball on the sideline.

If I have chased a ball to the sideline, I am first interested in getting there in time, getting set, and getting the ball over the net. The last thing I want to worry about is whether the ball was in or out. Especially when I am probably looking straight down on the ball and can't see it properly anyway.

So I make sure that my partner knows I am expecting him/her to make that call. They have a much better angle, they aren't otherwise involved in the play, and it just makes way more sense.

And if I am asked, my response is that I did not see it and could not make a call. No guessing, no wavering - I did not see it. Which I didn't. So the responsibility is 100% on my partner.

Just seems like the best way to handle out calls.

See you on the courts.

Michael Gauthier
Rally Academy
Pickleball Strokes
NDY (Not Done Yet)