Captain

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

Must the captain or speaking captain be one of the five starting players?

Originally Posted by BillyMac

"Who is the "speaking" captain? ...

Originally Posted by Raymond

There is no such thing as a speaking captain, that's something officials make up ...

Of course there isn't. Which is why I put it in quotes.

But Indianaref mentioned it in his original post, and some officials will utilize the term. Those who use the term probably use it because of the singular nature of the rule ("one of whom is the captain") when confronted with more than one captain (as is often the case here in my little corner of Connecticut, and probably elsewhere), with "speaking" referring to rule language "may address an official on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information".

My post above clearly indicates what I think of only identifying one, single captain, and whom I will, and will not "speak" to.

Since I don't identify one, single captain, nor do I ask if that one, single captain is starting, there is always a slight chance that the one, single captain may be on the bench to start the game, thus my general announcement, "Everybody ready!", to cover the "notifying the captains when play is about to begin at the start of the game" rule.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

The captain is as outdated as two-handed set shots, laced basketballs, peach baskets, and chicken wire cages around the perimeter of the court, an archaic, anachronistic formality.