Endline vs. Baseline
 

Thanks to my watching College Hoops, I've been hearing almost every commentator call the endline the "baseline".

By which name should it be universally known by?

Which do you prefer & why?

When I hear the term "baseline" I am thinking that baseball is being played :eek:

I'm bilingual. I'm good with calling it either.

I'm an endline kind of guy as that's what I've been taught and that's what our books and manuals say. I was "corrected" for the misuse of the other term several yrs back and have now become a proponent for using the correct terminology - which IMO is very important for officials.

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

That being said, we've had this discussion before, as officials, we have much bigger fish to fry than this......

So you speak both basketball & beisbol?

I was curious cause of the so-called "all knowing" commentators using improper terminology (according to the books/manuals).

Baseline may not be the precise word as is used in the rulebook but there is no need to worry about which word to use in this case....it is completely unlike other unofficial words such as "over-the-back" or "reaching". Neither baseline nor endline convey any different meaning relative to the other; they are precise synonyms of each other. EVERYONE knows exactly what you're talking about no matter which one you use.

Merriam-Webster dictionary (and several others) also define it to mean the ends of the basketball court.

Also, one of the sides of a rectangle is properly called the "base". The basketball court is a rectangle.

And the base of a rectangle is dependent upon which side is the base. :p

MTD, Sr.

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

Realy doesnt matter
 

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.

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

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?":eek: I find myself using baseline more than endline

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

Rosetta Stone ...
 

Sounds good in English, but not in Officialese.

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

What, No Red Lines, No Blue Lines ???
 

Good one. Very subtle. My nomination for "Post O' The Week".

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbn...d9af&index=ch1

Hmm . . . does anyone know how "base line" crept into the game? Anyone who's played knows the phrase, but it hardly seems an obvious expression to jump into the game.

Anyone who's played has heard a coach use the term.

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.

The 3 zones of hockey: Offensive Zone, Neutral Zone, & Defensive Zone.

I do speak BaseKetBall!

Which is just as stupid since they're actually "fairlines." :D

I recently looked up both of these in NCAA, NBA, and FIBA rulebooks online.

The NBA rules uses both "baseline" and "endline." I could only find "endline" in NCAA and FIBA rules. Of course, NFHS just uses "endline."

1-7-3

Beat me to it.

C'mon eagle...how do you know that? Do they teach that in Basketball Scorer/Timer clinics?;)

...which got me to thinking...I wonder if Hockey officials ever have double or triple whistles? Do all the Hockey Officials even have whistles?

I have been part of two "triple whistles" this year...more than all of last year.:o

I stated that changing a charge call to a block is ugly...well, I guess triple whistles are right up there with that. Ugly and embarrassing.

...another off-topic thought...remember that dude that was a crazy ski jumper some years back? Wasn't his name Eagle or something like that?

...any relation chseagle?:p

We're not talking about backboard markings here.

Nope, but his point was the term is actually used in NFHS.

I know about hockey due to previously working with the Tri-City Americans.

Yes the linesmen & the referee(s) all have whistles in hockey though only one whistle is normally heard.

Come on, RookieDude you should know how I got my name is due to the school name & mascot.

My actual last name has some hockey lineage in it, no basketball & no ski jumping.

I use endline without exception any more when talking to both partners, players, and coaches. But I also say "Score the goal" while signaling the same to the table.

...really? Even for 2pt FG's?

I'm pretty gullible and I didn't see a smiley face.:)

Likely meant signal "score the goal/count the basket" after whistle blown for foul :)

There you go. And to be clear, not after the whistle is blown - I'm not that guy that says "count it" or anything at the spot of the foul - I just signal. But yes, I say "score the goal" when starting my signaling while reporting to the table.

You're not the only official that does that so it's nothing uncommon.

I've seen some signal "count the basket" after reporting the foul.

What I meant by "after the whistle" is that shooter was in process of shooting when fouled, ball in air as whistle is blown & basket made.

In other words in any foul where the shot was made after foul happened with a slightly delayed whistle.

Gottcha...thanks, I'm a little slow today.;)

Hey, chseagle, speaking of signaling 2pt. FG's...

When there is a FG made that is really close to the 3 pt. line...what is your philospophy on weather or not you like a signal, from the official, that it was just a 2pt. FG?

Sometimes I get a confused look from the table as to count the FG as 3 or 2 points...I know we are directed to only signal if it is a 3...but, I gotta tell ya, if it's close and the table is looking at me with wide eyes...I give them the ol' two fingers at waist level as I'm running by.

It really helps the PA announcer also...;)

I always do this, too; especially if the shot is taken opposite the table.

...when approaching the table...I stop...give the "basket's good" signal...then report the foul.

Lemme guess........Puck?

Would Have Never Guessed That chseagle Was Green ...
 

I generally have no problem seeing the play as I'm watching the ball closely. I can usually tell from player positioning (feet-wise) if it would be a 2 or 3.

I would have to say it depends on the position of the scorer's table & the table crew you have to work with.

If the player is that close it would be easier to signal 2 pt. like you're stating, especially opposite side from table.

Personally I point at the line on the floor -- if the shot's successful, I signal a 2 to the table. If it's improper, I couldn't possibly care.

I always look for the 3 pt. signal if I see the shooter is near the 3 pt. line farthest from the table, as that's not an easy area to see (especially if there's additional traffic in the area).

Majority of the time, I'm timer, I'm in Gym #2 where the scorers' table is elevated off the court off a couple of rows so I have a better view of the court than in Gym #1 where the table is court level.

I also make sure before posting the points that it was either a 2 or 3 made by looking for the signal. If no signal I hit the +2 button & let the scorer know 2 pts.

It Takes Two To Tango ...
 

Not only proper, but expected, here in the "Land of Steady Habits".

CONNECTICUT MECHANICS:
Point to floor for two-point field goal try when shooter has foot touching three point line.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1171/...26aa3009_m.jpg

Feet-wise is usually the best way to tell.

Me too, and me neither.