Issue 63, August 18, 2006
MACBOA Newsletter

In this Issue:

• Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray
• Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Changes for 2006-07
• Contributing Article: Getting Back into Shape! – Ike Relacion
• Submitting Articles for MACBOA Consideration
• MACBOA Volunteers
• Newsletter Contact/Information

The MACBOA Newsletter is a periodic newsletter publication of the Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association (MACBOA). MACBOA provides basketball officiating services to several colleges and universities in the Maryland - Washington, DC area. The Association has a membership of approximately 200 men and women officials. Our membership consist of men and women who work Divisions I, II, and III basketball.  We pride our Association on providing quality and professional service.

The usefulness and survival of this newsletter is going to depend on the participation of subscribers and professionals alike. Please help by submitting personal stories, experiences, and articles of general interest to the MACBOA community.

The MACBOA Newsletter is made possible by the kind support of our sponsors.  We thank our sponsors for making the newsletter and other programs possible. Please visit our web site at http://www.macboa.org.  As always, please visit our sponsors and thank them for keeping MACBOA operational.

Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray

We are just a little over a month away from our fall MACBOA Clinic on Sunday, September 24, 2006 at Frederick Community College’s Field House.  Hopefully you are preparing mentally and physically for another exciting basketball season of college basketball officiating. A short article by Ike Relacion on Getting Ready for the Season may be found below.

Here are a few reminders as we approach the Sunday, September 24 Clinic:

Please visit our “Members Only” section of www.macboa.org with your unique username and password that you will receive no later than August 21 via email to download the 2006-07 Official’s Contract, Physical Examination/Certification Form, and Data Form.  If you have not received a unique username and password for secured "Members Only" section by August 21, please contact Ike Relacion at irelacion@aol.com.

All contracts, a $75 application fee, physical exam forms, Data Form for Supervisor (information must be CLEARLY printed…Take care of administrative matters!) and passport size head shot in professional attire (no T-Shirts) photograph (for new officials or officials wanting to replace current photos: with name clearly printed on the back) are due into the MACBOA office by September 15th.  

MAIL ALL OF THE ABOVE TO: Donnee Gray, Supervisor of Officials, MACBOA, Post Office Box 98, Bryans Road, MD 20616.   Please DO NOT FAX any of your paperwork to the MACBOA office.  If you fax your materials, a $25 fine will automatically be deducted from your game fees.

Liability insurance forms are due by October 10.  K&K Liability insurance applications will be made available during the MACBOA Clinic on September 24.  Proof of liability coverage is required prior to working an assignment.

Our September 24, 2006 Clinic Meeting at Frederick Community College’s Field House will begin at 7:00 AM SHARP! We plan on concluding the Clinic by 2:00PM (includes BOA meeting).  Late arrivals and unauthorized early departures will be fined $25 payable within five (5) days or no game assignments.  Please contact Donnee Gray, Supervisor of Officials directly at
301-283-6807, if you have conflicts attending the MACBOA Clinic date.

If you are assigned as a Crew Chief in a scrimmage game through until October 15, you must arrive one (1) hours before scrimmages starting before 6:00PM and offer your services to give a clinic to the home team about rule changes and points of emphasis.

OBSERVERS:  Please touch base with me at 301-283-6807 as well as update your contact information by sending your information via email to dgray@macboa.org no later than September 15, 2005.

ATHLETIC DIRECTORS/COACHES:  There must be a representative from both the men and women’s staff at this clinic.  Athletic Director and Coaches clinic will start at 9:30A.M. sharp.

In an effort to work with other conferences that may holding clinics the same day as MACBOA, staff that also officiate for the PSAC and live in PA are excused from the MACBOA Clinic to attend Owen Hannah’s PSAC clinic.  Please email me that you will be attending the PSAC clinic and copy Owen Hannah.

I want to welcome our new officials to the MACBOA family and congratulate our officials that have accepted opportunities to officiate at the D-I, D-II, and D-III level. 

Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Changes for 2006-07

The following rules-change proposals have been approved by the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Committees and the Playing Rules Oversight Panel and will be incorporated into next year’s rules. The page references are from the 2005 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules Book.

New Equipment Requirement. (Rule 1-17, page 34)—Starting with the 2010 season, Division II and III institutions will be required to have a game clock with a 10th of a second display, a red light or LED lights and shot clocks mounted on the back board. Rationale: It is important that Division II and III are using available technology in the game.

LED Lights. (Rule 1-18, page 35)—LED lights may be used on the shot clock, but the lights shall only be activated for a shot-clock violation. Rationale: LED lights have been incorporated into the shot clock and can be beneficial to the officials, when available. Early usage has indicated that the lights can also be connected to the game clock and horn. This is not legal.

Intentionally Kicked Ball. (Rule 2-14.6.f, 2-14.7.b, page 53)—When an intentionally kicked ball occurs with 14 seconds or less, set the shot clock to 15 seconds. When an intentionally kicked ball occurs with 15 seconds or more the clock shall remain as is. Rationale: This simplifies a rule that was made last year.

Undergarments. (Rule 3-4.14, page 63)—Compression pants may not extend below the game pants. Shirt sleeves may not extend below the elbow. Rationale: This will eliminate the use of undergarments that extend to the ankle and long sleeves.

Arm Sleeves. (Rule 3-5.7, page 65)—Arm sleeves are illegal unless worn for medical purposes. Rationale: Sleeves are unnecessary and inappropriate equipment without permission from a trainer or physician.

Wristbands and Headbands (Rule 3-5.15, 3-5.16, page 64)—Wristbands and headbands must be either the dominant color of the game jersey or white. The color shall be uniform for the entire team. Rationale: This eliminates the problem of finding headbands the same as the dominant color of the game jersey and requires team uniformity.

Point of Interruption. (Rule 4-51.1.a, page 85)—The ball will be returned to play at the point of interruption after double fouls and simultaneous personal fouls. Rationale: This creates consistency in where the ball will be returned to play after double fouls and simultaneous fouls.

Use of Timeouts. (Rule 5-10.22, page 104)—During games that do not have media present, a 75-second timeout is charged when an appeal for a correctable error is not correctable. When a 75-second timeout is not available, a 30-second timeout shall be used. Rationale: This clarifies the situation.

Timeout Request (Rule 5-10.1.a, page 99)—A timeout shall not be recognized when an airborne player’s momentum carries him/her either out-of-bounds or into the backcourt. Rationale: Often the player has already committed a violation before the timeout is granted. This play is happening too frequently in the game today.

Screener Position. (Rule 10-22, page 150)—The normal stance of a screener shall be approximately shoulder width. Rationale: This incorporates a long-time established interpretation into the text of the rules.

Publication Note: The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Illustrated Book will no longer be published. The visual diagrams will be incorporated online

Men’s Only Proposals

Substitution. (Rule 3-4.11, page 59)—When a player is required to be replaced for disqualification, injury or blood, all substitutes who have legally reported into the game shall be allowed to enter. Rationale: Allowing the other substitutes to enter the game would not cause a delay.

Experimental Rules. The men will experiment with eliminating the first lane space nearest the basket on each side of the lane and using the present, second, third and fourth lane spaces on each side of the lane.

Points of Emphasis. Rough play and palming will remain as points of emphasis for the 2006-07 season. The committee will also emphasize proper adjudication of the loose-ball pile-ups that occur during the game, including calling personal fouls and ensuring the possession of the ball before granting a timeout.

Women’s Only Proposals

Penalty for Non-Compliance of Equipment Rule. (Rule 1-17, page 34)—An indirect technical foul will be assessed to the Division I home team at the beginning of each game when a game clock with a 10th of a second display, a red light or LED lights and shot clocks mounted on the backboard are not available. Rationale: The rule has been in place for several years without an enforcement clause. This is meant to force institutions to become compliant.

Substitutions. (Rule 5-10.23.a, page 104)—Require a bleeding player or a player who has lost or irritated contact to be substituted if it cannot be resolved within 20 seconds. Rationale: This will treat bleeding players and players with irritated contacts the same for the first time.

Experimental Rules. The women will experiment with the three-point line extended to 20 feet, 6 inches and the 10-second backcourt rule.

Points of Emphasis. Displacement and sportsmanship will remain as points of emphasis for the 2006-07 season.

Contributing Article: Getting Back into Shape! – Ike Relacion

During the summer, it’s easy to put normal eating habits on the back burner. However, when the officiating season looms near, the difficult task of getting back into shape begins. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes. The ideal situation is to continue to exercise right through the end of the season and throughout the summer. The next best way to shed pounds is to return to your normal exercise routine as soon as possible.

Exercise will actually increase overall energy levels and prevent fatigue, providing endurance which may be needed to the rigors of sports officiating. In addition to melting away pounds, exercise relieves stress and strengthens the immune system, allowing the body to fight off cold and flu viruses that we are exposed to during the remaining winter months.

In addition, exercising regularly helps the body burn calories more effectively, making it easier to stay in shape. Though regular exercise will increase physical and mental health, a proper diet is crucial to the success of a fitness or exercise program. It is a good idea to consult your physician when designing an exercise or fitness plan, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition. Your physician will help you determine the right amount of exercise and a diet plan that is right for you.

Dieting and exercising is an effective way to get back into shape. Paying close attention to your eating habits all year round, as well as getting the proper amount of exercise is the best way to live a healthy an active life. As sports officials, pay attention to your eating habits after a game assignment.

Exercise can help prevent the physical and mental deterioration of aging. Older patients who exercise may be swimming in the fountain of youth. As obvious as it sounds, the first step to being in shape is to have that as one of your goals. Next, it is very important to write down your goals as well as a specific conditioning program that will allow you to reach your goals if followed. Then, it comes down to the strength of your desire and commitment to get and stay in shape not just for the officiating season, but for life.

If you are presently out of shape, you will not believe how much better you will feel and look from exercising thirty minutes a day three times a week. You will be stronger, have more endurance and more energy in your everyday life as well as during any avocation. Your self-confidence, self-discipline and spirit will grow tremendously in the process of controlling your mind and getting in shape. All it takes is desire, a game plan you can achieve over time and self-discipline to overcome the resistance and excuses.

Submitting Articles for MACBOA Consideration

Thank you for your interest in submitting an article for consideration on www.macboa.org.

We accept well-written features, how-to articles, "how I did it" success stories, tips and hints, motivational articles and other articles that will help our audience gain knowledge and succeed in their officiating avocation.

We do not accept articles that are primarily advertisements. However, you may place a biographical section at the end of your article. It should be no more than 30 to 40 words in length. It would be nice if you could include a 60x60 picture of you in .gif or .jpeg format.

Below are instructions for submitting your article to the MACBOA.org web site. We ask that you read the terms of your Agreement with MACBOA.org carefully.

Please note: We only accept submissions from the original author of the articles or a publicist hired by the copyright owner to submit material here. By submitting material, you acknowledge that you are legally entitled to distribute the work and to allow it to be redistributed. (If you are a book publisher or public relations firm with copy to distribute, please include a note to that effect at the top of the article you submit.) We do not pay for articles, and do not accept articles that are primarily advertisements. However, you may place a brief resource box and contact information (but no ads) at the end of your article.

To send your article, click on the "Article Submission Form" and answer the questions and then copy and paste your submission into the space provided. We have provided a copy of the form below. Please be sure your by-line appears below the title of the article. Click on the submit button to complete the process and or cut-and-paste the completed form and your article to macboa1@aol.com.

Reward, challenge, appreciation, stimulation, writing, reading...rarely thanked or noticed.

These are some of the attributes of the well hidden job of MACBOA Newsletter Volunteer. Are you interested in working behind the scenes (screens?) to help get information to members? MACBOA is looking to grow our ranks by a couple of folks and thus, we're soliciting volunteers.

What do you do? Read postings. Write articles, membership news, coordinate interviews, cultivate sponsor relations, etc. Write e-mail back and forth amongst us to establish communication, and guidance to keep this list as valuable as possible for our membership. Although we're virtual, our presence is sensed, we hope...and appreciated, although rarely acclaimed.

We haven't a job description, nor do we know what knowledge, skills, and abilities are required, but some that will come in handy are:

• having the ability to write
  
• being thick skinned, not thick headed
  
• being able to express your opinions, while being open minded
  
• having at least a free hour or two a week caring for the membership
  

Please respond directly by e-mail to: irelacion@aol.com

HOW TO CONTACT THE NEWSLETTER COORDINATOR

MACBOA welcomes and encourages news and information for the periodic newsletter. Please submit all materials to address letters of comment, article proposals and queries, or news items to:

Ike Relacion: (301) 371-8520
E-mail: irelacion@aol.com

MACBOA Newsletter Information

MACBOA, INC provides the MACBOA newsletter. MACBOA is a nonprofit organization providing information about membership news. The MACBOA.ORG Newsletter's contents may be quoted and reused as long as attribution is included with the reprinting and/or posting.

MACBOA nor its guest contributors shall be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced in this newsletter

MACBOA does not share its email lists. We value and respect your privacy.

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