Serving centre line fault

Dave Read Unknown Asked 17 years ago

Having served and there is a dispute as to whether the ball was in or out as regards the centre line, who has the decision?

An umpire at the side can hardly judge the centre line.

Jeff Plumb Answered 17 years ago

Hi Dave,

The umpire has the call even though he is on the side of the table.  The umpire often stands up or sits up higher for doubles so that he can see the middle line better.

The "official rules" do not allow for a point to be replayed if there is a dispute over whether the ball was in or out.

The middle line only applies to doubles, as in singles you can serve from anywhere to anywhere. However in doubles, you must serve from your right hand square, to your  opponents right hand  square. 

 If your opponents serve the ball and and you catch it because you think it is a fault and then your opponents dispute your call, it is the umpire who decides who to award the point to. If the umpire calls it a fault, you win the point, otherwise you lose the point. That is why it may be safer not to catch the ball but to play out the point and let the umpire make the decisions.

Of course, if it is a more friendly game, then the "official rules" could be bent and both sides could agree to replay the point.