3rd party observations

[FunnyBear]

If a 3rd party observer notes an error in the game state, is it appropriate to signal for a judge and privately, out of earshot of the players, relate the observation to the judge?

Would your answer be different if the 3rd party observer was not an unbiased observer as a consequence of a relationship to one player, whether father, son, spouse, etc? This was a discussion amongst several Professors at a prerelease today, and the discussion hinged around what could be construed as "interference" as it is used in the rules. Could a private conversation with a judge about a game state be deemed interference in that context? I had thought it was a fundamental responsibility of any observer to report game state errors to the judging staff before they become unwindable major penalty situations.

 

[bulbasnore]

Not really a card ruling question. Moving to professor forum.

 

[bulbasnore]

Any spectator can report such an issue.

It doesn't matter if they are a parent, the president or a friend or the security guard just passing through the room.

Is any judge so certain that they will be able to tell who is a disinterested observer?

Are parents or pals mostly going to report observations in favor of their player? Let's stipulate that they will. If so, is that bad?

What would happen if, we, as judges, refused to listen those observations?

==

Now, the usual bulbasnore wall of text:

I'll tell you a story. Once upon a time, in the days of OP innocence, a player had his 'Wishing Star' Jirachi out in T16 against Girafarig with the 'Rear Sensor' Poke-BODY. This player invoked 'Wishing Star'. After a moment, the dad pulled the judge aside (not across the room, but away from the ropes) and said, "He can't do that against Girafarig." The judge might have been out of position or tired/not quite following each play. At any rate, looking over, he saw the situation as described, in progress. He stepped in and stopped play, asked both players about the situation and rewound things as best he could. Both players got a caution(?) for misplay (Rear Sensor is mandatory). The Jirachi player picked up a warning for yelling that the dad be removed from the room and for later near the end of that same long turn, playing a second supporter.

So, some judge would want to refuse that dad a hearing because he was commenting on his son's game?

==

I could see someone wanting to make this a 'rule' in order avoid having to deal with a parent that is excessive - the sterotypical "jerk sports parent". However, those situations have to be addressed in the context of rules lawyering, resources available at the tournament ("we don't have enough judges to put one on all your son's matches").

It is OK to get the HJ/TO and let the senior folks deal with the parent, pal, enemy or random, if they're interfering with the flow of the event with constant consultations.

 

[ShuckleLVX]

If there is a gamestate error, it's a fact. It being reported by a parent or spouse would be no different then it being reported by an intelligent robot.

In a battle roads a couple years ago, my girlfriend top cut with Magmortar. She was relatively new, and didn't know that KO'ing an EX was worth two prizes. I passed that on to a judge, who told her. The fact that she deserved an extra prize was in no way changed by the fact that I was her boyfriend.

On the flip side, things like slow play are much more subjective, and Judges should probably not rely on an observers word for these sorts of problems.