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Timekeepers
Keating Givet Hit Viewt
John Keating, timekeeper for the
arlton FoolbaU Club, writes:—
"In recent issues of The Globe you!
ave advocated that independent timeeepers
should be appointed by the
League. You say that some of the
present timekeepers have given lifelong
ervice to football, and know their jobs
thoroughly, but as they are all connected.
with their respective clu^s it
ould be better if independent men were
ppointed. You also say that a repetiou
don't say what would happen if
ndependent timekeepers made mistakes.
ou seem to suggest that no notice would
e taken of it.
"The incident at Footscray was the
first time for many years that there has
been trouble over timekeeping at League
matches, and I think this speaks volumes
or the fairness and ability of the timekeepers.
Complaints have been made
in several games the umpire did not hear
he bell, and that points nave been scorcd
fter time was up. Are the timekeepers
o blame for this? Would independent
en ring the bell any louder?
"It has been suggested that louder
bells be provided, or that a gun should
be fired for the end of play. These
proposals are very good, Vut the chief
trouble seems to be that the field umpire
ii. the sole judge of the first sound of
the bell, and I have been at matches
where that official seems to have been
he last person to have heard the bclL
"This position is likely to arise
matter how loud sounding an instrument
is used to denote the end of each
quarter. Mr R. Rush, of Collingwood.
suggested that the timekeepers should
have a position on the ground just outside
the boundary line as they do at
ollingwood. He says the field umpire
ould hear the bell quite easily there.
would inform Mr Rush that the timekeepers
at Collingwood are in the press
ox, and not on the ground as stated
y him. Also that a bell sounds much
ouder from an elevated position than
t would from the ground.
MISTAKES ALWAYS POSSIBLE
"The League recently appointed a subcommittee
to confer with the timeeepers,
and to recommend reforms.
his conference has never been held,
nd I was greatly surprised to know
hat without consulting the timekeepers,
he sub-committee had recommended
ertain proposals to the League. These
roposals were referred back for further
onsideration. I trust that before comng
to a decision the sub-committee will
onfer with the timekeepers.
"Some of the timekeepers have filled
he position for SO or 40 years, and I
onsider they know a good deal more:
about timekeeping than the average
League delegate. At the last meetiug
held by the League certain delegates favored
the appointment of independent
timekeepers. They said the appointment
of independent men would minimise the
possibility of mistakes. I do not agree
with that statement. Independent men
would be just as liable to make mistakes
s the men appointed under the present
j'stem.
"The clubs know that their interests
re safeguarded under the present system.
Would they have, the same feeling
f confidence if independent timekeepers
were appointed? I do not think so. If
independent men were appointed, it
would not be long before the position
ecame s paid one. For obvious reasons
he field umpires for each match are
ot disclosed until each Saturday afteroon.
And the same procedure would
ave to be adopted with indepedent timeeepers.
The timekeepers could play a
ig part in the result of a closely eonested
game, and no one would be any
he wiser.**
LThe general view is that independent
imekeepers should be appointed. Indeendent
appointment would tend to proect
timekeepers.—Ed. Globe.]
$