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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: When playing doubles in a Club tournament with no umpire, can either the service receiver or his partner call a service "out?" If the teams don't agree, shall they play a let, or does the receiver's team "rule?" How many disagreements before we get the tournament director involved?

- submitted by Michael Nauman

A: There are no special guidelines by USATT or ITTF for situations that occur when matches are played without a qualified umpire. There are, however, MY guidelines: Use common sense, courtesy and play fair. For some, this my be difficult, or impossible. From the description of your situation, the disagreement between teams occurred at a tournament. When that happens, do not waste energy and concentration by arguing.

In the first occasion, contact the tournament REFEREE, not the tournament director. Tournament director is responsible for things other than that the rules of the games are observed. H/she may not even know the rules, which does not disqualify him/her from serving as a tournament director. No tournament, not even at a club level, should be run without some qualified umpire overseeing that rules are observed, and helping resolve problems regarding the rules.

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