And the band played on.....

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by just another ref

no

Agree 100%. How about opposing bench personnel? I probably say yes. Others might not.

[deecee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Agree 100%. How about opposing bench personnel? I probably say yes. Others might not.

How do you define opponent? Is it JUST the players on the court?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by deecee

How do you define opponent? Is it JUST the players on the court?

Once in my thirty-five year officiating career have I called disconcertion on opponent's bench personnel. Granted, it was a recreation level game, but I would do the same thing in a high school game if the behavior warranted it.

On the crowd, or band, or cheerleaders? No way José.

[Adam]

The rules say the band should not be playing, but do not provide a penalty (because the band is not part of either team). Since the rules do not address what to do when the band disconcerts a FT shooter, I don't think 2-3 is too much of a stretch here.

There are far worse things we can do here than what was done.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Adam

There are far worse things we can do here than what was done.

Adam's post brought up something from the very deep, dark, recesses of my mind, something from forty-seven years ago. Mr. Baumgartner, my high school English teacher, would be very proud of me.

It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done. (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

Now, where are my car keys?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

... it was a recreation level game ...

I'm not sure if I've announced this to the Forum? No more Catholic middle school games for me. Just high school games from this point on. Chronic leg problems and a new Catholic middle school geographic assigning area (farther away than in the past), led to my decision.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome in both knees, and osteoarthritis and a bone spur in my right ankle, have really had an impact on my ability to work night, after night, after night, after night.

Now it's just high school games. A night off a few times a week, a knee brace, a few aspirin, and daily elastic resistance stretching exercises, can keep me on the court.

No matter how much we love officiating basketball, we can't do this forever. We get older and the players stay the same age. It just doesn't seem fair. And I was just getting the hang of this, after thirty-five years, finally.