end of game procedure

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

What was the point of that? If they need someone to keep order, that's the job of police or local security. Is a Fed basketball result not official until hands are shaken?

The StateHSAA in Mass., a few years back, started requiring the Game Officials to remain on the Court and supervise the pist-game hand shake. There have been a number of threads in the Basketball Forum discussing the requirement. A search of the Basketball Forum will find them all.

MTD, Sr.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

The StateHSAA in Mass., a few years back, started requiring the Game Officials to remain on the Court and supervise the pist-game hand shake. There have been a number of threads in the Basketball Forum discussing the requirement. A search of the Basketball Forum will find them all.

I did, thanks.

Over the years I've read here about some silly, picayune rules established re sportsmanship. However, this one is the stupidest, & apparently it does apply to all team sports, although apparently its implement'n in basketball is the most problematic. I can only conclude the Mass. Interscholastic Athletic Ass'n has a great desire to make trouble for game officials -- actually a desire to make trouble for everybody, but falling hardest on officials.

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Over the years I've read here about some silly, picayune rules established re sportsmanship. However, this one is the stupidest, & apparently it does apply to all team sports, although apparently its implement'n in basketball is the most problematic. I can only conclude the Mass. Interscholastic Athletic Ass'n has a great desire to make trouble for game officials -- actually a desire to make trouble for everybody, but falling hardest on officials.

RG, I'm not sure where you're from. Is it MA?

I've confirmed with a friend that the viewing of handshakes after a softball game is in place:

"In Mass...per MIAA......we have been instructed to stand together between home plate and pitcher's circle and observe the team handshake."

I live in nearby NH, but I don't know the reasoning for that instruction.

Unless you know the whys and wherefores, it seems rather harsh to criticize from afar. Labeling this action as silly, trivial, stupid, problematical is unbecoming, especially if you have no idea as to why it was implemented in the first place. (I do not, BTW.)

To claim that a state sports agency would create a policy with a goal of causing trouble for officials, coaches, players, administrators is very small minded.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

Unless you know the whys and wherefores, it seems rather harsh to criticize from afar. Labeling this action as silly, trivial, stupid, problematical is unbecoming, especially if you have no idea as to why it was implemented in the first place. (I do not, BTW.).

It's not that difficult to conclude that what they want officials to do is keep an eye out for any unsporting behavior during the "gah-game" ritual. There is no other reasonable motive behind this. Something likely happened after a game ended that escalated into a fight, and the state powers-that-be felt the only way to deal with this was to have the game officials to stay and watch.

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by Manny A

It's not that difficult to conclude that what they want officials to do is keep an eye out for any unsporting behavior during the "gah-game" ritual. There is no other reasonable motive behind this. Something likely happened after a game ended that escalated into a fight, and the state powers-that-be felt the only way to deal with this was to have the game officials to stay and watch.

Manny, I believe that is a very plausible explanation for why officials are asked to oversee the handshake. As such, not silly, trivial, etc.

Not sure what officials might be expected to do if a fight did break out, though, other than observe and perhaps serve as witnesses.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

Manny, I believe that is a very plausible explanation for why officials are asked to oversee the handshake. As such, not silly, trivial, etc.

Not sure what officials might be expected to do if a fight did break out, though, other than observe and perhaps serve as witnesses.

I never suggested that the requirement was silly or trivial. There may very well be a legitimate reason, at least in the eyes of those who require it. But it does put officials in a precarious situation in that they leave themselves as targets for any upset coaches to get in their last licks. That's why we're supposed to make haste to get off the field afterwards. So rather than silly or trivial, I would consider it ill-advised.

[Robert Goodman]

Just A this Q: Why do games have officials?

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I never suggested that the requirement was silly or trivial.

It was a poster earlier in the string that suggested that.

My opinion is that officials should leave immediately after the game. However, when in Rome, or in this case, Massachusetts, abide by their protocols.