Quote:
Originally posted by BayStateRef
There is plenty of support in the rules to make sure the benches are truly equal. Rule 2-13-1 only gives game management the right to designate the location of each team's bench area.
I suggest you look at "The Intent and Purpose of the Rules" to say you do have authority to make sure it is a fair and equal contest. The language here includes "to create an atmosphere of sporting behavior and fair play." Further it instructs "it is important to know the intent and purpose of a rule so that it may be intelligently applied." And lastly, "A player or team may not be permitted an advantage which is not intended by rule."
If you determine there is an "advantage" to one team having chairs close to the court and the other having to use bleachers 8 feet away, then you have full support from the rules to make the home team put out chairs for the visitors or put its chairs away and use the bleachers. If the home team provides itself fancy padded chairs and the visitors with hard metal chairs, then I do not see an advantage. But there clearly is a significant difference here and I say the rules give you full authority to make it equal.
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Well Mr. Equality, you may want to read the RULES before you go and do something that is WRONG!
TEAM BENCH LOCATION
1.13.1 SITUATION: Upon arrival on the court, the visiting team is advised its team bench is located on the right side of the scorer's and timer's table. This location means the visiting team's substitutes will have to go considerably further than the home team to reach the reporting area. The visiting coach complains to the referee.
RULING: The referee has no authority to move the location of either bench, unless it involves player safety. Game or home management is responsible for designating the location of the team benches.
The visiting coach must accept this designation, unless player safety is involved. Obviously, it is intended that the benches be on the floor-level seats or bleachers and that the team benches be approximately the same distance from the table whenever possible. The referee should report the unusual bench location to the state association office.
So what do you say to that?
