First Choice Equipment
The Boundary Scope
Description:
The boundary scope has a sighting mechanism mounted on a stand. It may also have a ditch sighting-plate attached. It is suitable for deciding whether a jack or bowl is within the boundaries of the rink of play. The bowl or jack may either be on the green or in the ditch.
Jack or bowl on the green
When using a boundary scope, assuming the decision to be made is for a bowl on the boundary line between rinks 3 and 4:
- Make sure you follow the Common Procedures for conducting a measure described earlier
- Set up the boundary scope at the end furthest from the jack or bowl.
- If the boundary pegs are on top of the bank, place the scope immediately behind the boundary peg between rinks 3 and 4 and pointing to the boundary peg at the other end of the rink.
- If the boundary pegs are on the face of the bank, place the alignment mark on the centre of the base of the scope immediately above the centre of the boundary peg between rinks 3 and 4 and pointing to the boundary peg at the other end of the rink.
- Kneel so that your eyes are about 75mm behind the scope. It is a riflesight – you will see nothing if your eyes are too close.
- Adjust the level of the scope until the horizontal cross-hair is parallel to the top of the bank at the other end of the rink. This ensures that the vertical hair is perpendicular.
- Using both hands, adjust the scope right or left until the vertical hair comes into line with the centre of the base of the boundary peg.
- Make the decision as to whether the jack or bowl is live or dead.
Jack or bowl in the ditch
When using a boundary scope:
- Make sure you follow the Common Procedures for conducting a measure described earlier.
- Set up the scope at the ditch end and align the scope as described above
- Step onto the green in front of the scope and look down through the peep-hole at the front of the scope to line up the cross hair on the base of the scope with the edge of the jack or bowl in the ditch.
- Make the decision as to whether the jack or bowl is live or dead. If shadows make the decision difficult, place a small sight board under the edge of the jack or bowl.
How to use a Boundary Scope
A Boundary Scope in use
Position of Scope at Boundary Peg on top of the bank
Using the Scope for a Jack in the Ditch