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Paul Kovac	See if you can Stump the Ump... E-mail questions to Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire. Please note: Questions which have answers that are easily found by consulting the rules may not merit a reply.

Q: In an umpired match can the receiver catch the ball (not play the point) if served illegally, but not called by the umpire? This instance happened where the receiver was penalized the point instead being granted a let.

- submitted by Philip Schafer

A: During an umpired match, the umpire is in control and he/she decides the questions pertinet to the Rules. The players are there to play. Therefore, the player should not interrupt the play by patronizing the umpire. If they are unhappy with the umpire's performance they can file a formal complaint to their governing body which, in the USA, is the USATT. This, however, will have no effect on this umpire's previous ruling. If players interrupt play for the reason you describe, the umpire has full right to award the point to the other player/team. In the first such occasion in a match, I normally do not do that, and give a formal warning. I excecise my powers during the next and every other occasion. At large tournaments where I may umpire several matches where the same player who I had warned before plays again, if he/she does the same thing repeatedly, I award his/her opponent a point at the first occasion.

You will be a much happier player and observer of Table Tennis when you know the rules. Contact Margaret Smith at the USATT headquarters (1-719-578-4583), do yourself a favor, and buy a copy of the ITTF Rule Book, newest edition.

- answered by Paul Kovac - your friendly on-line USATT umpire