Can We Please Try This Again ???

[Robert E. Harrison]

You have the run of the baseline.

It is not a baseline it is an endline. The baseline in basketball refers to the line at the bottom of the rectangle on the backboard.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Robert E. Harrison

You have the run of the baseline. It is not a baseline it is an endline. The baseline in basketball refers to the line at the bottom of the rectangle on the backboard.

Thanks Bobby, I can call you Bobby, right? The only people who call be Billy are officials, my mother, and my aunt. Nobody else calls me Billy, it's always Bill. I've always been Billy on the basketball court, as a player, and now, as an official. It's a fun name, that makes me feel young. It's a game? Right?

Technically, you are 100% correct. Baselines are in baseball. We've had this discussion, usually in fun, many times, on this Forum. This is hairsplitting to the uber extreme, to the nth degree.

We've also fiddled around with "calling" a timeout. Does it mean "request" a timeout, or does it mean "grant" a timeout?

I like to catch people on "midcourt line", there is no longer such a thing. There used to be one that separated the forecourt from the midcourt, at the 28 foot hashmark, but it's no longer there, because there is no longer a closely guarded rule that uses that hashmark. It's a "division line".

I believe that there's another semantics issue that occasionally makes it way onto the Forum, but I can't think of it right now. I'm sure that another Forum member can refresh my memory.

These are a little too hairsplitting for me, but thanks anyway.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Robert E. Harrison

You have the run of the baseline.

It is not a baseline it is an endline. The baseline in basketball refers to the line at the bottom of the rectangle on the backboard.

So you are saying it will confuse players if we tell them they can run the baseline?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

So are you saying will confuse players if we tell them they can run the baseline?

They might run to first base.

[JRutledge]

And as I said before, if people are that confused by "end line, base line," they have bigger problems.

I agree you should say the correct things, but this is the vernacular of the game that most players, coaches and fans are going to use. It is OK IMO to speak their language. You start correcting everyone because they did not use the perfect term, you will confuse them even more in many minor situations.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

And as I said before, if people are that confused by "end line, base line," they have bigger problems.

I agree you should say the correct things, but this is the vernacular of the game that most players, coaches and fans are going to use. It is OK IMO to speak their language. You start correcting everyone because they did not use the perfect term, you will confuse them even more in many minor situations.

Peace

I agree. Everyone knows exactly what we mean because they use "baseline" too, and it doesn't perpetuate any myths.

I use "end line" but occasionally slip and say "baseline." I've never had anyone say "Where's that?"

If the actual "baseline" in basketball had any real significance, I'd probably have a different opinion, but it doesn't, so I don't.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Adam

I use "end line" but occasionally slip and say "baseline.".

Me too. But at least we're trying.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I agree you should say the correct things.

Wow?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Wow?

I really love how you take little things and try to make them into things out of context. You are really good at doing that. If you want to debate the issue, what your little list says has nothing to do with right or wrong, but personal preference to things that have nothing to do with the rules. Just like I said, your "Don't move" issue is more about your personal preference and nothing to do with the understanding of a rule just like the difference between "End line" and "Base line." Players think the opposite of moving on the end line is not moving on the end line. Saying "Designated spot" does not dramatically change that from a player's point of view. And one coach in some place that overreacted to words does not change that fact.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

What your little list says has nothing to do with right or wrong, but personal preference.

Add a third choice: Wrong. Personal preference. Add misleading.

“He wasn't set” Misleading. Could be legally moving backward.
"On the floor" Misleading. Could be in the act of shooting while on the floor.
"Don't move" Misleading. Wrong, by rule.
"Hold your spots" Misleading. Wrong, by rule.
"You can't stand behind him" Misleading. Wrong, by rule.
"Everybody get behind the division line" Misleading. Wrong, by rule.
"Let it hit the rim" Misleading. Wrong, by rule.
"Over the back" Personal preference.
"Reaching in" Personal preference.
"Coach, you have one timeout left" Personal preference.
"Sit down" Wrong, by rule.
"You have to take out your earrings" Personal preference.

Four personal preferences. Some agreement? Some common ground?

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I agree you should say the correct things,

Your words, not mine. I like the "should", much better than "must". More common ground?