The Write StuffThis is your forum to post questions, express opinions, or exchange thoughts and ideas that might be of benefit to the entire League. To post, just email the webmaster or snailmail "The Write Stuff", c/o Don Cline, 5800 Boyer's Mill Rd., New Market, MD. 21774. Your input will be online the very next day.
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Hi, this is Kara Eyler from the Catoctin jayvee girl's team. I would just like to say that I love this site. It shows me the games that are playing and the times. I really like the "Players of the Week" thing, too.
What are the rules regarding uniforms? Do all players have to have the same uniform or can they be different? At a recent game, one team had a player with a different color pants than the rest of his team. The odd pants matched the colors of the opposing team. I thought it was confusing to say the least. The opposing coach did not say anything nor did the officials.
National Federation basketball rules cover uniforms in Rule 3 - Players, Substitutions and
Section 15 states: "A team jersey designed to be worn inside the pants shall be tucked inside
I might make one other suggestion in reference to uniforms. Since some teams in the league only
This is Christian Richman of Middletown's boys varsity and I just want to tell you I love your page so much I've set it as my home (page). Anyway, I was looking at your boy's Player of the Week page...I am pretty sure (the teams mentioned) haven't even played yet. Please e-mail me back and tell me if I'm wrong. Thank you.
Appreciate the interest, Christian. That is just an example page from three years ago when
...it would be nice to have the girls scores posted and standings updated. Some of it was posted but not all.
Sure would, Mike and would be glad to, but I can only post the info that I receive. In past
I've offered to accept scores and highlights from the girls games on the day they are played
Can you clarify for me the rules regarding a coach who gets kicked out of the game (2 technicals)? Can the coach stay in the gym or must he leave the premises? Also, what if a fan or parent gets kicked out? Do they have to leave the premises and what happens if they don't want to go?
According to National Federation basketball rules, Rule 10-Fouls and Penalties, Section 4-
To clarify a little further, an example of an indirect technical foul would be an assistant
Players who have been ejected/disqualified should remain on the bench unless an adult accompanies
I was just wondering exactly why, on a foul shot, we're not allowed to go into the paint until the ball hits the rim. It makes no sense. It makes the offensive player have a huge advantage down low.
Rule 9 - Violations and Penalties, Section 1, Article 9 - Free-Throw Provisions was amended for
Since rough play had been a point of emphasis in the rule book for the seven years prior, and
Rough play continues to be a point of emphasis each year, and the national rules committee is
How is your "Player of the Week" going to be handled? Who will pick this player of the week?
I'll be making a selection each week based on input from coaches, players, parents or anyone
It's the end of the season and time for a report on the progress of a few of last year's Mid-Maryland alums. Danny Pierson, Colby Jackson and Drew Gaeng all played junior varsity ball for TJ. Colby broke his wrist in a January game and should be back in good form for next season. Danny and Drew had very good seasons and were able to get moved up to varsity for the end of season tournament and will have the opportunity to take part in TJ's trip to Cole Field House for the State semi-finals (and finals). Both saw limited action in TJ's win over Paint Branch. Of course, Jermaine Thomas, one of the best players to run the floor as a Mid-Marylander was outstanding in TJ's win.
Jered Lyons did really well his first season at St. Johns. He played both jayvee and varsity. He played in many tournaments such as the DC Classic, St. James, Bullis Invitational, and Sleepy Thompson. Jered averaged about 18.9 poitns and 4.5 assists. Jered will be continuing at St. Johns next year.
Your web site is awesome and you do a great job with up to the minute information and details about the Mid-Maryland League throughout the season. What you do and the way you put it together is just great. Your web site has to make the entire season more interesting and worth getting into. Keep up the good work.
My daughter plays for TJ's jayvee and I have enjoyed turning to your Mid-Maryland web site for all my updates. I just wanted you to know that this web site has been one of the best I have been to. Every kind of information is available and up to date in a timely manner. Thank you for all your hard work in keeping it this way. CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE !!!
Hello, I'm a player in the Mid-Maryland basketball league and I was wondering why, in the weekly recaps, the only people who get there name posted is the people with the good offensive games? Why cant you post the people who play good on both ends of the court or do all the hustling plays in the game - like rebounds, steals/assist, or blocks and still put up the others who do good on the offensive end?
I would like Randy to respond, if possible, to the charge/block rule as it is written. I have found this to be the most inconsistent rule called this year. I know this rule more then likely involves a lot of judgement on the part of the referee. I would just like to know what factors are looked at when the call is made either charge/block. Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions and comment.
The charge / block rule can be one of the toughest calls for an official to make. The National
Art. 1...Blocking is illegal personal contact which impedes the progress of an opponent.
Art. 2...Charging is illegal personal contact caused by pushing or moving into
a. A player who is moving with the ball is required to stop or change direction to
b. If a guard has obtained a legal guarding position, the player with the ball must
c. There must be reasonable space between two defensive players or a defensive
d. The player with the ball may not push the torso of the guard to gain
The vast majority of blocks are called due to the defensive player not establishing their
As a parent with a son playing in this league for the first time, I just wanted to let you know how helpful your website is. We have been checking your site several times a week for current team standings, results and news. In addition, we really appreciate the directions to the different schools. Although we have lived in Frederick County for over six years, we are just now becoming acquainted with all the schools. Thanks again for taking the time to create and maintain an excellent site. - Doris Wilson
Hi, this is Devin Trout and Kevin Carlson, players on the Walkersville Lions jayvee team. As you know we are doing very bad, but we just don't understand how we are still first in our division, and we were wondering why you have different divisions. Why don't you just keep all the teams in one division so we really know who will win the championship?...Sincerely, Devin and Kevin
A lot of years it's tough for the smaller schools, mainly those in the MVAL, to compete with the
There always seems to be confusion over the three-second rule. Can you offer some help to players, fans?
Probably one of the most misunderstood rules in the National Federation rulebook,
A player shall not remain for three seconds in that part of his/her free-throw lane
A further note in the rulebook states:
The three-second restriction applies to a player who has only one foot touching the
You will notice that I underlined "while the ball is in control of his/her team in his/her frontcourt."
When do you anticipate updating the offensive and defensive statistics and rankings?
probably this weekend, jim...that project takes a while, so i normally do it at the one-third
How can you have NR months after the game has been played? What is the process for getting scores updated? Isn't there some way the delays can be removed?
Suggestions:
1) Do not post any scores for that day until ALL teams have reported. Just show who has NOT reported. The NON/LATE reporting teams will soon get plenty of HEAT from the other teams. State the above as the NEW site policy.
2) Ask each coach for a SCORE UPDATE contact/volunteer; email address and phone required. Each team already has one person that has agreed to keep score; this person would be my first choice. If none is provided, do not post any scores for that team (See suggestion #1). I'm sure every school has at least one parent/fan that wants their team's score updated on a timely basis.
You can not have STANDINGS if the scores are not updated. I'm sure you are also upset by NON/LATE reporting teams. The ONLY way to get this fixed, is to share the PAIN.
The boys League obviously has a more serious approach than the girls League chooses to.
Boys League teams are required and, in fact coaches are warned once and then suspended, if they
The girls have a contact person that collects scores and sends them to me once a week. I post
I'm not going to penalize the teams that do things properly, particularly the KIDS on those teams.
You would think that the HEAT would be turned up by a non-complying teams' players and parents
Those checking out the site can expect up-to-date boys standings. They'll have to live with the
SMarkWinfield asks:
(12/05/2001 12:01:39 AM)
Randy Shank replies:
(12/05/2001 8:58:04 AM)
Equipment, Section 4-Uniforms. This rule regulates everything from colors, stripes, numbers,
style of lettering, commemorative patches, flags, etc. There are sixteen different sections to
this rule, all which deal with the jerseys, but only one mentions pants.
the pants and the pants shall be above the hips and worn properly. A player not conforming to
this uniform policy shall be directed to leave the game." To answer your question, the team
jerseys must match, but teams pants do not have to be the same. Of course, most teams do.
have one jersey, it would be a big help if teams that have two different colored jerseys always
take both jerseys with them to home and away games. There is no bigger nightmare than having both
teams wearing the same color jersey! Also, remember that shirts worn under jerseys must be the
same color as the jersey. They don't have to be an exact match, but white t-shirts cannot be worn
under dark blue jerseys. The undershirt would need to be some shade of dark blue (in this example).
Thanks for your question!
Christian Richman comments:
(12/01/2001 1:17:36 PM)
webmaster replies:
(12/01/2001 1:38:04 PM)
we tried it for a while. It will be replaced with the first selections on Wednesday. P.S. Great
idea on the home page. I'll have others contact you for help in how to do that if they are interested.
Michael Naill comments:
(11/30/2001 10:22:31 PM)
webmaster replies:
(11/30/2001 10:27:10 PM)
years, someone from the girls league has provided scores and standings once a week, usually
on Monday. I don't know what arrangements have been made this year.
and post them as I do the boys games, but very few girls programs take advantage of it.
Those that do will find their info posted. To attempt to keep standings up-to-date when less
than half the scores are reported would be futile. Maybe, and hopefully, more teams will take
advantage of the opportunity as this season goes along and in future seasons.
Tom Kozlowski asks:
(11/28/2001 5:01:10 PM)
Randy Shank replies:
(11/29/2001 4:06:42 PM)
Bench Technical, NOTE: A single flagrant technical or the second technical foul charged to
any bench personnel, other than the head coach, results in the disqualification of the
offender. Adult bench personnel who have been disqualified shall go to their teams locker
room or leave the building. The third technical foul, the second direct technical foul or
a single flagrant foul charged to the head coach results in disqualification and ejection
to the team's locker room or outside the building.
coach or player on the bench yelling at the official. If that asst. coach or player on the bench
received a technical, the head coach would also be credited with a technical foul, but it would
be "indirect" since he did not commit the offense himself. Only one foul would be credited
towards the bonus. The "indirect" foul is credited to the coach as he is reponsible for his/her
coaching staff and players, as well as anyone else on their bench, ie. ball boys, statistician, etc.
them to the locker room. As to what would happen if the coach, player, fan, or parent did not leave,
the game could/should either be suspended or forfeited, depending upon the circumstances.
Jay Greene, Jr. asks:
(11/24/2001 10:03:54 PM)
Randy Shank replies:
(11/25/01 9:29:28 PM)
the 1997-1998 basketball season. Since 1981, players had been allowed in marked lane spaces
during a free-throw to move into or out of the spaces upon release of the ball by the free-thrower.
The game had become increasingly rougher each year since 1981 as players move into the lane
upon the release to contest for rebounding positions. The rebounders had more time to fight for
position beginning with the release than they did when they had to wait until it touched the ring.
allowing players to move into the lane on release contributed to it, the rule was changed. The
committee had discussed other options such as widening the lane, restricting the number of players
in the spaces, and widening the first space, however, they felt it was clear that returning to the
pre-1981 rule (as it is now) was the answer.
constantly monitoring the game to see if further changes are necessary. Thanks for your question !
Cheerchic asks:
(11/24/2001 10:17:35 PM)
webmaster replies:
(11/24/2001 10:26:32 PM)
else who wishes to nominate a player. Full details will be on the website on Monday.
Appreciate the interest.
Jerry, Carrie, Dan and Ben Pierson comment:
(3/5/01 9:29:59 PM)
Sparta20 comments:
(3/5/01 9:54:23 PM)
Garel Hauver comments:
(3/5/01 9:28:30 AM)
Kim Koehl comments:
(02/12/2001 3:23:25 PM)
CJH024 comments:
(02/09/2001 6:27:29 PM)
Mike Holda asks:
(01/31/2001 10:29:21 AM)
Randy Shank replies:
(01/31/2001 1:41:48 PM)
Federation rule book (Rule 4, Section 7 - Blocking, Charging) defines them as follows:
an opponent's torso.
avoid contact if a defensive player has obtained a legal guarding position in
his/her path.
get his/her head and shoulders past the torso of the defensive player. If contact
occurs on the torso of the defensive player, the dribbler is responsible for the contact.
player and a boundary line to allow the dribbler to continue in his/her path.
If there is less than three feet of space, the dribbler has the greater responsibility
for the contact.
an advantage to pass, shoot or dribble.
position before contact, i.e. extending their leg, hip, and/or foot into the offensive players path.
Also remember that once an offensive player has left the floor to pass or shoot, they must be allowed
a place to land, meaning that even if the defensive player has established a guarding position, if
they weren't set before the offensive player left the ground, they would be charged with a block.
Hopefully this helps you out. Thanks for a great question.
Brian & Doris Wilson comment:
(01/25/2001 9:37:02 PM)
Devin and Kevin ask:
(01/14/2001 12:21:36 PM)
webmaster replies:
(01/14/2001 12:56:53 PM)
CMC teams. If not for the divisions, there wouldn't be much to play for the second half of the
season. This way there is more interest throughout the season and more teams get to be recognized.
The true League champion will be determined in the year-end tournament.
webmaster asks:
(01/14/2001 10:01:18 AM)
Randy Shank replies:
(01/14/2001 10:27:09 AM)
Rule 9 - Violations, Section 7 - Three Seconds, reads:
between the end line and the farther edge of the free-throw line while the ball is in
control of his/her team in his/her frontcourt. Allowance shall be made for a player
who, having been in the restricted area for less than three seconds, dribbles in or
moves to try for goal. The count shall not begin or it shall be terminated during an
interrupted dribble.
lane boundary. The line is part of the lane. All lines designating the free-throw lane,
but not lane-space marks and the neutral zone, are part of the lane.
This is the part that is misunderstood by most players/fans/coaches. Whenever a shot is attempted,
team control ends, thus, the three-second count in the lane ends. A new one does not start until the
rebound is controlled, so in a situation where numerous shot attempts are made under the same
basket, we would have a continuous "resetting" of the three-second count.
Jim Santos asks:
(01/10/2001 1:20:09 PM)
webmaster replies:
(01/10/2001 1:43:11 PM)
point of the season, two-thirds and a final...they'll be there soon...appreciate the interest.
Cisco Rodriguez asks:
(01/03/2001 7:25:22 PM)
webmaster replies:
(01/03/2001 8:24:55 PM)
fail to report game results and highlights by midnight the day the game is played.
that information within a day of receiving it. I've offered repeatedly to accept scores and
highlights from the girls games on the day they are played and post them as I do the boys
games, but very few teams take advantage of it.
The boys League has had it's procedure in place for years and it has taken a while to get the
level of compliance that now exists.
who check out the site and see no results. It makes you wonder if anyone cares. Those that do
will reap the benefits.
girls policy or change it.
Write Stuff Continued