BY STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
The National Federation of State High School Associations approved a basketball rule change that would allow the game clock to continue to run when the lead reaches a certain margin.
The "mercy rule" would not be binding on individual states.
"More contests are experiencing extremely large point differentials between the two competing teams," said Mary Struckhoff, assistant director and staff liaison to the federation's basketball rules committee. "In addition, in many cases, the number and intensity of fouls increase, thereby putting player safety in jeopardy."
Several lopsided games in recent years have brought criticism and calls for reform of high school rules. Last November in Detroit, one girls' team beat another 115-2 in a playoff game.
Under the high school federation's decision, each state association would determine whether to implement a mercy rule, as well as set the margin and the time at which such a rule would be put into effect.
A sampling of local coaches' opinions indicates there is neither need nor desire in the Broome County area to implement such a rule.
"I think it's a coach's job to keep the game within reasonable limits," said Dave Springer, Binghamton High boys coach. "There are ways (to keep the score down) -- 10 passes before a shot, don't fast break, don't press."
Springer added, "Referees and timekeepers have enough to worry about."
Bob Zeh, currently girls coach and former boys coach at Oneonta High, echoed Springer's sentiments.
"I don't think coaches (locally) try to run up scores that much," Zeh said. "Coaches who are going to be in the business for a long time are smart enough to know that things go in cycles," -- and are aware that this season's league leader may be next season's cellar-dweller.
Dale Cook, Susquehanna Valley High's boys coach and a former basketball official, opposes the rule from both perspectives.
"I don't like it. I think you've got to be able to play the game," Cook said. "That's a chance for the reserves to get in."
Mercy rules already are in place in various states in baseball, football, field hockey, ice hockey, soccer and softball. In lacrosse, a mercy rule automatically goes into effect if the
differential is 10 or more goals at the beginning of the second half. In wrestling, a match is stopped when a 15-point advantage is gained over an opponent.
