It's my one old school thing that I do. It's still in the book, but I do it mainly because it's probably the only thing that hasn't changed in 28 years.

Frankly, I couldn't give a damn what other people think of me doing it.

I notify everyone....so I get the captains whether I know who they are or not.

Because it's in the book.

Should be reason enough for why someone does it.

Politely Disagree ...
 

Notifying captains: 2-7. Asking for matchup: 3-3-E.

I know that I'm walking on thin ice if I don't always listen to bob, but how are either of these incorrect?

I was referring to the "no one ever does this" parts of the post.

Literally ???
 

Literally? Really? I let all the players, including the captains, know that I'm ready to start, just before I sound my whistle for the opening jump ball. Since I don't ask for a "speaking" captain, I direct my comments to all ten players, which should include the two "speaking" captains, assuming that the two "speaking" captains are starters. We have officials that do ask for "speaking" captains, and several of them remember who they are and actually ask each individually, often by name, if they are ready before sounding their whistle for the opening tap.

AremRed: No player has ever asked you for a "lineup", or a "matchup"? You must be a rookie official with only ten, or fifteen, maybe twenty, years of experience. In thirty-three years I bet that I've been asked about a half dozen times, including a few in high school games. Of course, this rule did disappear from the rulebook for several years, and then magically reappear. We used to do this around the nearest of three, that's right, three, jump ball circles.

Loud Enough For The Bench To Hear ???
 

What if the "speaking" captain isn't a starter?

(Note: I do the same thing.)

Have you ever called a multiple foul? Odds are pretty likely you haven't, even though you have probably had numerous opportunities to do so. That is in the book as well.

It doesn't matter to me whether you, rich, or anyone I happen to be working with informs the speaking captain the game is going to start, or what your reasoning is for doing it. At the end of the day, everybody on the court is well aware the game is starting whether this action is taken or not.

Then I guess we go home.

/\ /\ /\ /\

This.

I agree.

Most of the HS teams in our area choose different "captains" for each game. It's just a thing the coaches do - the same as when I played, back in the 60's.
So, in our pre-game, I tell my partner(s) that we should try to identify the real leaders of both teams during their warm-ups. It's helpful, in the case of a dust-up during the game, to know who has influence with his/her teammates, and can help us, as a calming factor.
I will, sometimes, refer to a player as "captain," as I hand him/her the ball for a throw-in. It seems to reinforce, in their mind and demeanor, the opportunity and responsibility to be a leader.

Very well, upon further inspection:

NFHS Rule 3-1-2 "The captain ... may address an official on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information, if it is done in a courteous manner. Any player may address an official to request a time-out or permission to leave the court."

So, I suppose a non-captain player is not supposed to ask for info courteously, but if he did, would you consider this unsportsmanlike? Hardly, I say. I typically won't address bench personnel, but if they're on the floor, as I like to say in pre-game, "question anything you like, as long as you're civil about it."

There's also an IAABO mechanic to inform the captains, scorer, and timer, at the start of each overtime period, that we start with a jump ball, the arrow starts fresh, there's an additional 60-second time-out, and we'll continue in the same direction we'll be going.

I say, just call for the captains if and when that happens. No need to memorize anything.

First, I have called a multiple foul before. Once...it will probably never happen again.

Second, it doesn't matter to me whether you agree with what Rich, me, or anyone else you work with does to start the game. Personally, I do not ask for speaking captains, and don't worry about informing them before the toss. But it is in the book, and you commented about why anyone would do it.

A side question...do you blow your whistle before tossing? If so, why? Shouldn't everyone know the game is about to start because you walked to the center circle with the ball in your hand?

That's how I notify the captains. :D

No whistle when I toss. Again, no problem with those that do, but it isn't necessary. The players know the game is about to begin, with or without the whistle.