[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I am joining the conversation late. I have not been posting much for the last year for non-basketball personal reasons, but BillyMac and others will vouch for me to the younger members of the Forum that I am one of the few "Ancient Ones" of the Forum.

I have been a member of IAABO for 24 years in a non-IAABO state (OhioHSAA). I am currently an Individual Member but was a member of the now defunct Board #55 in Cleveland, Ohio, and have served on a number of IAABO National Committees.

Here is my take on the change in the IAABO Mechanics Book with regard to the pre-game meeting with the Captains (and Head Coaches) for the high school season (out-of-season games: I do not care which mechanics you use):

1) If you officiate in an IAABO State that uses the IAABO Mechanics then use the IAABO Mechanics.

2) If you officiate in an IAABO State uses the NFHS Mechanics or its own StateHSAA Mechanics, then use the NFHS or StateHSAA Mechanics.


That said, as a historian of the rules of the game, I do not have the Head Coaches participate in the Captains' Pre-game Meeting. Why? Historically, Coaches are non-entities in the Rules. A Head Coach being allowed to huddle with his players during a Team TO has been allowed only since after World War II. Even now, the Captain is considered to be the leader of the team, not the HC, per the rules. At the high school FR level and above, the Team Captain will be my first option in taking care of business. And 99% of the time it has been my best first option at both the H.S. level and the college level.

That is all for now.

MTD, Sr.