'Spirit of the Game'

[Shotgun Franklin]

We had a Shoot today. One Shooter had 3 Counters call a miss. He began to argue, even walking out to a target and pointing to a bullet mark claiming that it was his. He really made a scene. The miss, I saw it hit the ground behind the target, was changed to a hit. It really soured my day. Not only should the miss have been scored as such but a 'Spirit of the Game' penalty would have been proper.

[Ol Law Dawg]

I agree with you. I hope the RO or someone at least had a good talk with him after the match. We are there for fun and a miss is no big deal.

[Jefro]

Totally uacceptable if it happened as stated, RO should have had the talk as soon as he finished clearing his guns. It's ok to question a call and point it out to the RO. After that it's muzzels up and to the unloading table, let the RO handle it. No place for that kind of behavior in our game. Spirit of the Game is not used for this type of behavior, only a Match DQ can be used.
RO I page 26 Match DQ
• Belligerent attitude / Unsportsman-like conduct.
• Interpersonal conflicts.

Now on the other side of the coin, if lazy spotters are not really doing thier job, (looking for the miss as well as listen) they often miss an edge hit or dead target. In this case the RO may be in the best position to see the hit. If they do see the hit it is thier responsablilty to question the spotters as to location of misses.
RO I page 7-8
C) The Timer Operator does not have the authority to overrule the spotters but can
question spotters as to location of misses. The Timer Operator does have the best
advantage to see the direction the muzzle is pointed, which is helpful in edge hits.
G) However, the Timer Operator is often times in the best position to evaluate
hits or misses if in question

I know when I shoot BP at our home club, I may get called for at least two misses per match on certain targets with dead spots at the wields. The RO and I often have a good laugh about it when the targets have fresh paint or he clearly sees the hit. I will point it out, then it's muzzels up to the unloading table with a smile.

Jefro

[Adirondack Jack]

We had a Shoot today. One Shooter had 3 Counters call a miss. He began to argue, even walking out to a target and pointing to a bullet mark claiming that it was his. He really made a scene. The miss, I saw it hit the ground behind the target, was changed to a hit. It really soured my day. Not only should the miss have been scored as such but a 'Spirit of the Game' penalty would have been proper.

Although the proper call for badgering spotters is MDQ for unsportsmanlike conduct, I HAVE given a SOG penalty to a shooter for just that kinda haranqeing of spotters.  I warned him to stop, he said he didn't care, so "bingo", he got it, and was warned that ONE MORE WORD and he was done for the day.  Sometimes you HAVE TO rein in somebody if they think they are gonna "mean mouth" their way to getting spotters to "go blind".  Rare, but it does happen.  Now he could have challenged my call, the MD and two black badge RO's just happened to be on the posse, but if he did, they would have assessed the "proper" penalty.  Kinda puts him in a "take the 30 seconds and shut up" mode.

There is no more difficult job to do well, and spotters doing a good job deserve respect and support.  Ya don't kick sand on the umpire's shoes, just saying.....

[Angel_Eyes]

I must have more 'fun' than most,,,I call my own misses at the time,,,makes it easy for the officials.

Is this being too helpful

AE

[Adirondack Jack]

I look at the score sheet for any misses when I shoot.  I never ask spotters.  They got their job to do, I got mine.

[Camille Eonich]

If you think that it's a miss then it's a hit.  I wish that people would remember that if there is any doubt in their mind whatsoever that it was a miss then it's a hit.  If you have to look and see how someone else called it then you have to call a hit.

[Percussion Pete]

It sounds like someone to wrapped up in winning.

As are those who use super light loads. Sorry, but it's a pet pieve of mine. Did they have light loads in the 1800's? Cowboy action shooting, or sissy no action shooting?

[Shotgun Franklin]

If you think that it's a miss then it's a hit.

If I see the impact on the ground behind and to one side of the target then it's a miss.

[Fairshake]

Hey Pete, I know you have just got started in this game. I shoot full WARTHOG loads in 44-40 now but started with 45 Colt. We have some spotters who don't look and are busy telling some one something and their hearing is bad. I have shot matches where the smoke from my guns was thick and hit the target square on. The spotter gives me a miss. I asked him If I missed how is the target swinging? I walk away saying that I did not care for the color of the BMW anyway. If you shoot BP long enough you will be scored with a miss when you have a hit. It's all just part of the Game. I know what I did and that is good enough for me.

[Angel_Eyes]

Yebbut, when you double tap and they go through the same hole, and they give you a miss?

Thats what happened to me numerous times this weekend,,,but I forgive them!!

Angel (Sure-shot) Eyes.

[Percussion Pete]

Hey Pete, I know you have just got started in this game. I shoot full WARTHOG loads in 44-40 now but started with 45 Colt. We have some spotters who don't look and are busy telling some one something and their hearing is bad. I have shot matches where the smoke from my guns was thick and hit the target square on. The spotter gives me a miss. I asked him If I missed how is the target swinging? I walk away saying that I did not care for the color of the BMW anyway. If you shoot BP long enough you will be scored with a miss when you have a hit. It's all just part of the Game. I know what I did and that is good enough for me.

Thanks Pard. I need to lighten up a bit and go with the flow.

I can't help being a cranky old git. 

[August]

Spirit of Game is a shooting penalty, not a comportment penalty.  It is used in rare situations where a shooter takes advantage of a situation to gain time - like when you already have a "P" and disregard stage directions from that point on.

Comportment isn't a rule, it isn't regulated with rules.  If you are displeased with a person's behavior you have two options.  One, shut up and go work on your own character defects.  Two, speak to them directly and privately about how their behavior has affected you and the sport you love.  If you don't have the huevos for TWO, stick with ONE.

[Leadbelcher]

Of course, when you KNOW those pesky bullets hit steel and there is NO sound, it must be a STEALTH BULLET!!!
there is even a society for those afflicted with the curse of stealth bullets!

Evernay Issmay!!!

http://mddall.com/sbss/SBSSmission.htm

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

  What ya need is more tin in your lead to make the targets go ting ding bang instead of just a soft splat  

[Dr. Bob]

Can't do that!  Shoot the Holy Black and need the SOFT lead boolits!   BOOOOM!! Lots of white smoke.  RO get a concussion from the rounds!  And they are only 44 Russians!