We'll be consistent there if we ever work together.

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"Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!" ...
 

I just completed a "find" for the word baseline in both the NFHS Rulebook, and the Casebook. In both books, there is only one single reference to baseline, in describing a rectangular backboard.

I didn't do a "find" for endline. It would probably take too long.

results updated in first post...

MTD, I respect your experience and wisdom, and my "juniority" defers to you....but I sense that the majority of the crowd recognizes the "foul-tip" baseball signal as an indication that I saw the basketball play, and let it go as a clean play. Doesn't baseball and basketball share at least one other sign (at least extremely similar)? The raised fist in baseball means a strike or an out...the arm may not be as straight as our foul call signal, but both are extremely close. Why isn't there some room for the "foul-tip" signal in basketball?

A foul tip signal in basketball can lead to trouble. If one official signals "foul tip" because he sees a clean block, and his partner comes in strong with a foul; you've got the equivalent of a double whistle blarge. Some officials may not care, but I'd much rather avoid explaining to a coach how I had a foul when my partner clearly signaled a clean block; and I'd rather avoid putting my partner into that position as well.

Furthermore, it's like back-pedaling; it tells coaches other officials that you're relatively new.

Honestly, in the leagues I've worked in; back pedaling and foul tip signals scream "amateur official" even louder than showing up in uniform. ;)

On the other hand - perhaps one official saw a clean play and signaled the "foul tip" signal, but his partner saw contact with the body. Both are right.

However, I agree that the signal in NOT necessary - I just won't persecute anyone who does it.

Fixed it for ya ;)

That being said, I do use it to communicate with my partner(s) ie: ball goes OOB on their line & they look to me for help. I'd show that it was deflected & point to the direction, but I'd never use it to acknowledge a blocked shot though.

If I didn't put air in it, then any contact was marginal... play on players & STFU coach/grandma :D

You're right, that's likely what happened. However, it's bound to lead from questions from the coach that can easily be avoided by not using the unapproved signal.

"Persecute" is a little strong, don't you think. I just don't like it, but I'm not going to harp on it unless a guy asks.

...or I'm the one with the foul & he/she is showing a clean block & now we're taking heat. We will discuss this in the locker room!

I had a partner once call so many fouls "on the floor" that the floor fouled out. :D The best part was watching him make a signal to the table of an "F" with his fingers every time he called it.

Agreed.

What about a C giving a tip signal to the trail letting him know the ball was tipped by B and should not be ruled a backcourt violation? I'm sure this is unapproved, but it's something that longtime partners and I use once every 10 games or so.

Obviously I think this is okay, too. If you are planning to go tell your partner he made the wrong call if he calls the bc violation, then isn't it better to prevent him from making the call in the first place and thus keep the game moving?

Yes sir, I think the "foul tip" is a great communication tool amongst officials but should never be used as a mechanic/signal.