From the "I'd like to know…." thread in the National Championships folder and the "Judge Quality" thread in TCG News & Gossip Discussion:
I appreciate that these are open forums, and in no way do i want to stifle free and thoughtful speech; but reading over some of the comments left in some of the threads created after the US National championship, I have found a considerable measure of judge bashing, and almost what seemed to be piling on, in what I imagine is a disproportionate sentiment to that held by most of the players who played at this year's tournament.
I was a judge in the Junior division this year, and bounced nearly every ruling off another judge before sharing it with the players involved. I had one ruling that I could see did not sit well with one of the players involved and asked him if he would like to appeal my ruling. I referred to the penalty guidelines, without exception, to determine the correct penalty any player earned during play, and I had access to the compendium at all times. My goal is to afford each player a fair and equal opportunity and have little to no impact on the game. I can say, with absolute knowledge, that every judge I served with in the Junior division had the same commitment to excellence, skill, and passion for the game and their role in it as judges. I am proud to have been included in this group of consummate professional quality solicited volunteers. I am certain that the quality in the Senior and Master division matched that in the Junior division, knowing and greatly respecting a good number of these judges from previous events worked together. I sat in meetings and listened to deliberations as penalties were discussed, and know the caliber of the people who others see fit to denigrate.
Personally, I find a number of the comments left by some to be insulting to the judges as a whole.
If you have a specific problem with a judge, a ruling, an attitude, a behavior, then write the powers that be and be as specific as you can; [email protected] is where you send your message. While I am sure that TPCi gives every message sent complete consideration, sending a message intending to improve the game, as opposed to dripping with bitter complaint, will probably assure a more thorough complete consideration of your message.
I am creating this thread as a counterpoint to the other threads that already exist. If you had a good interaction with a volunteer, staff, judge, or TPCi personnel, go ahead and leave a quick note here in the thread. I'm just trying to get a little positivity for those who gave up their week so that so many could have a great time playing this kid's game we all love so much.
Thank you in advance for keeping this thread positive. Just a line or two, or a quick sharing, if someone helped make your tournament a little better.
qnetyk said:"when judges or staff make mistakes nothing happens" - qnetyk
Akex2k said:"It sucks man. The judging can seem extremely unfair" - Alex2k
qnetyk said:"I know full well what judges go through and what they have on their hands...it's not really that difficult…I made this thread really for anybody that had a problem with staff at Nats …when something is done unfairly or a mistake is made on the part of the staff, I want to make sure it is known" - qnetyk
Leaf said:"a lot of judges that judge higher level events such as nationals still don't know the correct rulings for a lot of things…many examples of judges getting very obvious rulings wrong…judge behavior is an important thing that needs addressing" - Leaf
TheGeneral said:"Some judges are just too incompetent to be judges, while others are rude and have no social skills what so ever" - TheGeneral
ShadowCard said:"in a Modified Format side event at Nats…I got into a disagreement with the judge…After a few minutes, I noticed another judge…and called him over to confirm the ruling and he supported me." - ShadowCard
Team Rochet Prodigy said:"I have come to known the pokemon rulings and judging to be painfully inconsistent…pokemon judging definitely is a little lacking" - Team Rocket Prodigy
Hatter said:"we haven't had the best judges here" - Hatter
Team Rocket Prodigy said:"My friend appealed to the head judge on a large ruling at Regionals 08 I believe possibly 09 I forget…the the call was incorrect." - Team Rocket Prodigy
The Ralts said:"An incredible amount of judges are amazingly ignorant of the game. They just become judges because, well, it pays better than winning actually winning a tournament" - The Ralts
Leaf said:"when you get a lot of players complaining about how a lot of judges make the wrong calls consistently, or don't take necessary steps to perform their duties correctly, then you have a problem…the original intention of this thread was not to bash judges, but to come up with a solution to make judging better overall, because it obviously needs improvement." - Leaf
The Lurb said:"What a load of crap. I could name 10+ people right now…(one of them is 10) that could do a much, much better job then many judges I've encountered…there's a problem when a judge at Nationals (main event) doesn't know that Unown G was errata's…I also find it amazing how insane the support is for judges" - The Lurb
The Ralts said:"the thing everyone is complaining about is the how the judges who AREN'T good are left to continue being terrible without penalty" - The Ralts
I appreciate that these are open forums, and in no way do i want to stifle free and thoughtful speech; but reading over some of the comments left in some of the threads created after the US National championship, I have found a considerable measure of judge bashing, and almost what seemed to be piling on, in what I imagine is a disproportionate sentiment to that held by most of the players who played at this year's tournament.
I was a judge in the Junior division this year, and bounced nearly every ruling off another judge before sharing it with the players involved. I had one ruling that I could see did not sit well with one of the players involved and asked him if he would like to appeal my ruling. I referred to the penalty guidelines, without exception, to determine the correct penalty any player earned during play, and I had access to the compendium at all times. My goal is to afford each player a fair and equal opportunity and have little to no impact on the game. I can say, with absolute knowledge, that every judge I served with in the Junior division had the same commitment to excellence, skill, and passion for the game and their role in it as judges. I am proud to have been included in this group of consummate professional quality solicited volunteers. I am certain that the quality in the Senior and Master division matched that in the Junior division, knowing and greatly respecting a good number of these judges from previous events worked together. I sat in meetings and listened to deliberations as penalties were discussed, and know the caliber of the people who others see fit to denigrate.
Personally, I find a number of the comments left by some to be insulting to the judges as a whole.
If you have a specific problem with a judge, a ruling, an attitude, a behavior, then write the powers that be and be as specific as you can; [email protected] is where you send your message. While I am sure that TPCi gives every message sent complete consideration, sending a message intending to improve the game, as opposed to dripping with bitter complaint, will probably assure a more thorough complete consideration of your message.
I am creating this thread as a counterpoint to the other threads that already exist. If you had a good interaction with a volunteer, staff, judge, or TPCi personnel, go ahead and leave a quick note here in the thread. I'm just trying to get a little positivity for those who gave up their week so that so many could have a great time playing this kid's game we all love so much.
Thank you in advance for keeping this thread positive. Just a line or two, or a quick sharing, if someone helped make your tournament a little better.