FASTBALL Right In The . . .

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Situation #1) A1 has ball for a throw in. Sensing that the five-second count is about up, he intentionally bounces the ball off the leg of defender B1. . . Might he be given a warning for causing delay of the game?

Remember that there are only 4 things that we issue delay of game warnings for (NFHS 4-47):

1) Defense interfering with the ball after a made basket,
2) Defense breaking the plane of the throw-in boundary while the thrower-in is still holding the ball,
3) Players contacting the free thrower or huddling before a free throw, and
4) Failure to have the court ready to play at the end of a time-out (e.g., water on the floor in front of the bench).

That's it. That's the list. In your situation, A1 hasn't done anything on that list, so there can be no warning issued. A1 also hasn't done anything illegal. He/she fulfilled all the requirements of a thrower-in. So there's no violation to call. Completely legal play. Issue a new throw-in to Team A at the spot wherever the ball touched out of bounds.

Now, Situation #2) Same scenerio, but this time A1 FIRES A FASTBALL RIGHT INTO THE CROTCH of B1, who is closely but legally defending against the throw in.
Comment: Seems to me there was obvious intended injury here. Would a proper penalty be:
A) an intentional personal foul, since (4-19-3) A1 undertakes something "which neutralizes an opponent's obvious advantageous position", e.g., the ability to play without pain?
B) a technical foul, according to 4-19-5, "An intentional . . . contact foul while the ball is dead...", though said contact is delivered by means of the ball, which doesn't seem quite right.
C) a technical foul for unsporting conduct (4-19-14) for "a non-contact technical foul which consists of unfair, unethical, dishonorable conduct or any behavior not in accordance with the spirit of fair play"?
D) since injury seemed clearly to be the intent, due to the "fastball" nature of the act, might it be so serious so as to be considered a flagrant foul and subsequent disqualification?

Your response is invited.

Thanx in Advance for Your Insights[/QUOTE]