Time out reform fails
 

It seems that an AD in Mass. went through the formal process to propose a state timeout rule change wheret instead of 3 60s and 2 30s, everybody get 5 60s on the theory that too much time is wasted over whether a 60 or 30 was requested and whether they should sit or stand. He apparently thought the extra 2 minutes that would be consumed by stretching the 4 30s in a game to 60s was a small price to pay in exchange for getting the timeout clock started quickly.

But...

Mass. has a hoop-jumping process that means approval is required for rules changes, requiring sport-specific, geographic and overseeing body approval.

The time out change was rejected by the association board of directors.

But the basketball committee and the officials committee supported it.

In other news they approved girls wrestling... Presumably they'll play for the Fabulous Moolah Cup

Are you sure? I just checked the MIAA website and this is the result of that rules change:

Basketball Committee 15-4-0 Approved
Game Officials Committee 6-2-0 Approved
MIAA Board of Directors 14-2 Approved
Mass. Interscholastic Athletic Council 5-4 Approved

I have no idea how the process works...but I thought the final vote is all that mattered...and it passed.

Is there really an issue in Massachusetts asking the coach in a timely fashion for a 30 vs. 60 and getting the clock started in a timely fashion?

I'm not going to be starting the clock until the majority of players are at their bench (assuming they aren't lagging behind). By that time, it's easy to get an answer from the coach. If a coach doesn't give you an answer in a timely fashion, charge the 60 and start the clock. This is also a situation where you can use the assistant coaches to your advantage to get an answer.

I never knew it was a problem. The proposal came from the Mass. basketball coaches assn. but it has not gotten any traction. The only thing I can figure is that Mass. used to play 16-minute halves with five 60-second timeouts per game. When we switched to 8-minute quarters four years ago, the timeouts were changed to match the NFHS rule.

Not really related to the timeout issue, but is the state still requiring officials to stick around for the post-game handshake?

Yes.