Endline vs. Baseline

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by grunewar

I was taught "there are only baselines on the baseball field, not on the basketball court."

Unfortunately, you were taught wrong. Baseball fields have foul lines and runners can establish their base path but there are no baselines in baseball.

[VaTerp]

As a coach we always used baseline. As an official, the correct term is endline but I often hear both used.

In the end, it doesn't really matter since the meaning is the exact same and I have never heard any confusion/complaints as a result of the use of either.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by VaTerp

As a coach we always used baseline. As an official, the correct term is endline but I often hear both used.

In the end, it doesn't really matter since the meaning is the exact same and I have never heard any confusion/complaints as a result of the use of either.

This is absolutely true. As a player, and later as a coach, the end lines have always been referred to as the baseline. I am fairly confident that MTD is correct in that the origin came from the fact that the rectangular court has a "base" line at its bottom.

As a defender, we never wanted to give the offensive player the "baseline" (i.e. get beat to the basket along the end line). Yet, you cannot find the term "baseline" in the Rules Book.

As has been pointed out, these two terms are synonyms. When talking to fellow officials, using the term "end line" is best. When talking to coaches or players, using the term "base line" is most understood.

Some officials are very particular that we, as officials, use the proper term and it is up to the coaches to figure out the rules book (by reading it). Personally, I have far too many things about which I am concerned to be worried about this particular debate.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

Unfortunately, you were taught wrong. Baseball fields have foul lines and runners can establish their base path but there are no baselines in baseball.

To add to that, there are "baselines" on the basketball court.

[Welpe]

End Line is proper but you probably won't hear it much outside of officials talking to one another. I tend to use baseline when communicating with players and coaches.

I don't expect much in terms of rules knowledge when it comes to common-taters.

[RobbyinTN]

Originally Posted by Welpe

End Line is proper but you probably won't hear it much outside of officials talking to one another. I tend to use baseline when communicating with players and coaches.

I don't expect much in terms of rules knowledge when it comes to common-taters.

Same here. After a timeout I might say something like "White ball on endline" and the players stare at me like "where is that?" I find myself using baseline more than endline

[Clark Kent]

Baseline on the offensive end. End line on the defensive end of the floor. Sideline along the sides

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Baseline on the offensive end. End line on the defensive end of the floor. Sideline along the sides.

Sounds good in English, but not in Officialese.

[26 Year Gap]

Of course, there is the center line,er, division line....