[rainmaker]

Originally posted by RookieDude

You are exactly correct....BUT:

and here is where the confusion began,

Rule 5-9-3
...If a free throw is not successful and the ball is to remain live, the clock shall be started when the ball touches or is touched by a player on the court.
Rule 5-9-4
...If play is resumed by a throw-in, the clock shall be started when the ball touches, or is touched by, a player on the court after it is released by the thrower.

We need help from an English buff or someone that is well versed in proper punctuation...perhaps Rainmaker?
Why is there a comma after "touches" in 5-9-4 and NOT A COMMA after "touches" in 5-9-3?
Hmmmmm, is it because of the prepositional phrase beginning with "after", following "a player on the court" in 5-9-4?

...or if the rules makers wanted the clock to start when the missed FT hit the floor they would have written it:
"the clock shall be started when the ball touches, or is touched by a player on, the court." ????????

Whew...

RD

I rarely comment on the grammar on this board, reserving my show-off moments for the times when the mistake is amusing, or when it makes a difference in the meaning. In this case, Rookie Dude, the difference that you cite is simply a mistake by the writer. They should, indeed, have put a comma after "touched by" in the second case as they did in the first. At least, I am assuming from the various interpretations that have been handed down that that would most accurately represent their meaning. You are also correct that to put the comma after "..a player on" it would completely change the meaning as you outlined. YOUR grammar is much better than the Fed's and the confusion is well explained in your third post. If you want, I will send you an application to the I. M. Shirley Wright Fan Club. You would be welcome!