Compensating Tendencies in Disciplinary Sanctions: The Case of Hurling

This paper investigates the presence of compensating tendencies in the awarding of free shots in hurling. Probit models are estimated to examine whether free shots awarded are determined by the score margin, net free count, and net card count at the time. In addition, the effect of large attendances and home games on these compensating tendencies is captured using interaction effects. Clear evidence of compensating tendency effects if the team is behind on the score margin or behind on the free count are found. When the game is played in front of large attendances, compensating tendencies based on the score margin are amplified. In contrast, there is no evidence of a home team bias in compensating tendencies based on the subset of games played at nonneutral venues. Although efforts should be made to minimize the compensating tendencies identified, administrators should tread carefully because the direction of the compensating tendencies are procompetition.