February 3rd, 1959 To Memters, National Basketball Committee: If the amual questionnaires are to be effective they must be printed in time for dis- tribution tefore the various tournaments. It always requires considerable time for the preliminary work which must precede the actual printing of the questionnaire. rr I am urging that you give immediate. attention to the suggestions in s 16 Te The questionnaire should probably contain a check upon sentiment relative to the fol- lowing changes which were made last year. 1. Whether the rule against allowing a substitution after a goal is satisfactory. 2, Whether the present regulations relative =o length and number of time-out periods and intermissions are satisfactory. 3. Whether the change made in the three-second rule is satisfactory. 4, Whether four-foot end space has proven to be advantageous where used. 5, Whether the method of deciding tie games in high schools is satisfactory. Here are other topies which might be value in the questionnaire: ball is dead would be desirable. 2. Whether the bouncing reaction of a ball should be or near the present minimum or halfway between. 3, Whether geps should be taken to permit optional use of a backboard which would have several inches removed from the lower edges 4, Whether college games shouldbe played in ten-minute quarters. 5, Whether the offended team should be allowed to keep possession of the ball after a free throw following a deliberate foul. 6. Whether the amount of scoring in the present game is too ligh or too lew or about right. 1. Whether a method of timing whereby the watch would I stopped each time the + near the present maximum Another suggestion which might be considered is that in comection with reducing the number of times a player is disquelified because of more or less trivial fouls which are classed as personal fouls. One suggestion is that if a player fouls an opponent in the act of shooting, the foul is not charged toward disqualif ication if the basket is made. Of course, the free throw would still be allowed. If this does not seem to be acceptable, there may be some other way to decrease the likeli- hood of a player who is actually attempting to play a clean game being removed in the first quarter. Give this matter some thought. Please go over these suggestions and let me have your reaction to them along with any other suggestions for material that would be helpful in the questionnaire. If I do not hear from you in a reasonable length of time, I shall assume that you have nothing to suggest. After all suggestions are tabul ated, they will be pre- sented to the Questionnaire Committee and the final questionnaire wil] be made up in accordance with the wishes of that committee. Yours truly, NU Cotter secretary HVP/3 Enc. questionnaire =e Lawrence, Kansas February 15, 1959. - Mrs. He Ve vases Secretary, National Basketball Comittee, Max Shak Gu’ Gad th tie ERE Gb cduaneaienne gob tone So~ low the level of “mst reply". X Sind weeks apelagising for ay delinquency. picnatiiisieg sin ‘gual dianhdiiin. coaiaphin ays le ‘There seems to be some feeling that we should have a plan to permit substitutions after a goals I do not have the eanswore ~— 7 2e I have also foumd that there is a demaud for two extra time-outs I believe the length of the time-out is set, but the Se There sees to be no objection to the threc-second rule in our district. 4e tho four foot end space has proven adventageous. There has been no oriticisn of ite 3 | 5e From what I learn the method of deciding tie games in high schools appears satisfactory, but that can best be answered by high school people. cweadt fodoer tied: dda peli a | : jul i ua ie ty fe i; I li ie He i Wt biel iil Hh ‘ ba He i i uy : athe brag ae lp te Heli (ee lia i 1 PEERS a ia a Tap ee “i gud Bheg sdgeeas §atigis Hi TE aE UE ae at ie ee ial | ia iu: dil : inf He: ai ase of course, you and I both Imow that there is the difference in officiating and what one official calls and what another official calls on the same player the next night may i : bad for the game and bad for ‘Booing is giving the home team an eight to ten point advantage Ad Beles ite Mi He i ie te : ae fe alld! ai att tga'te jae a nae tt ee ; a a We 78 ai] ma ul bltiy tt | sty iif id ill 2 if is oa gai qi “¢ ii Wy a pe is git: pel 43a 34 itll nu Sie beads of officiating ever the country that I believe what we need is more uniform officiatinge | | = bic Wabbibciets Se Setittenc denis Whe Sete ok: aeeditaaas | ce Eee ton ca cr cae iakus will | PeSe Your questiomaire dated the 10th came in this morning's mail, and I have enswered the proposed questiomaire mterial. PeCeohs February 10, 1939 -To Members, Questionnaire Committee: Since the time is short you should give your immediate attention to the proposed questionnaire material which is enclosed. I organizing this I have attempted to consider all the comments that have been received in response to my first letter to all members of the entire committee. The Chairmen will make everyeffort to make the final draft in accordance with the combined opinion of the committee but you should be sure to send comments immediately if you are not satisfied with the proposed material. Unless I hear from you by return mail, I shall assume that the material meets with your approvale The questionnaires will be distributed in a manner similar to that used in past years. Each member of the committee will receive several hundred copies and a division of territory end groups will be suggested. Yours truly, Secretary HVP/3 Enc e S «, f a7 Ei te 3 i! nl oe ; rf aE k s g Hj ts “iti : = 3, 388 uit ree ec H dish ae het aye bee saga a5 FP i aiid dl 4 Februgry 25, 1939 To / — a Comittee: aecd* pelt 383 a3: bas i siti! £5 334. Bags Ht 343 pill nf 42 sitet seal ee 2 ei Hie ah if ea wos ' Ir you prefer other date or place do not vote above but list date and place below, wee HIP [ THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS ] NATIONAL FEDFRATION STATE H. S. ATHLETIC ASSN | 11 SOUTH La SALLE StreET CHICAGO, ILLINOIS © I prefer March 29th and 30th At Chicago . At New York I prefer April 7th and 8th 3 At Chicago at New York I prefer May 8th and 9th . At Chicago At New York ten ALE LE DEER DERE LE If you prefer other date or place do not vote above but list date and place bel ows ee EE SLOG Signed: oe Don't wait. Vote must reach Secretary by MARCH 4th! March 6, 1939 To Members, Heti onal Basketball Committee: I have the vote on the time and place for the ammual meeting but it would take a Wediomsighes: tetr’ bo Selougee’ 38 hecnney Se yeatovenes we so wektly seutianeds soe fit. Te avoid further sengtiontiens, I am submitting only twe possibilities for this second ballet. You should immediately wire your perenne for one of two possi« vilities, Le@e, Meas 201 val 88h Cidengty. or Do not delay. If I do not receive a wire from you by Saturday, Mareh 1ith, I shall assume that you do not eare to vote and a plurality for either choice will decide the issue. lg it will help your feelings any, you oan cuss the secretary for shifting dates. Yours truly, MCh seorotary HvP/3 ) March 13, 1939 ' Po Members, National Basketball Committee: Here is the result of the recent telegraphic vote relative to time and place for the annual meeting: Chicago, March 28-29 New York, May 1-2 J. H, Crocker F. C, Allen H. D. Bdgren John Brown E. J. Hickox John Bunn Curtis Parker Frank P. Maguire Oswald Tower We E. Meanwell H, V. Porter Floyd A. Rowe de We Ste Clair H. H. Salmon, Jr. Willard A. Witte No additional vote was received from Messrs. Cuminghan, Dole and Jefferess. Judging from the vote of these men on the first ballot, it is not probable that a new vote from them would have changed the result. It appears from this vote that the meeting will be in New York on May 1st and 2nd. Further details relative to exact time and place will be sent as soon as they are available. Yours truly, UZ Secretary HVE /§ stains hii Sens inh Was an dilate ons aia > during the day. It is provable that this time will be needed for informal aa ee ee ee | uiaiiee ‘Ys tay 2: 9100 Asme diy 3. Selene: preebiinns’ Moai action on probes held over fron the preoeding day. _ Business meeting includings Report of Treasurer ee or iederimie: Geisiililaa eit aikietten ot areniiiin Aetion on any other business matters which may be brought before the group — Notes ‘It should be possible to finish the mesting ty 2200 peme 7 ee eee NATIONAL COLLEGIATE A. A. ~ - - CHAIRMEN OF SUB-COMMITTEES Publication Oswatp TOWER Executive » H. H. SAtmon, Jr. Research Forrest C, ALLEN Game Administration Sumner A. Dote Complete List of Committee Members F. C. Allen Univ. of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas John Brown 847 Madison Ave. New York, New York John Bunn Stanford Univ. Palo Alto, California J. H. Crocker Univ. of Western Ontario London, Ont., Canada M. C. Cunningham High School Desloge, Missouri Sumner A. Dole Connecticut State College Storrs, Connecticut H. D. Edgren George Williams College Chicago, Illinois E. J. Hickox Springfield College Springfield, Massachusetts Frank P. Magu Dept. of etic Instruction Harrisburg, Pennsylvania W. E. Meanwell Shorewood Hills Madison, Wisconsin Curtis Parker Centennary College Shreveport, Louisiana H. V. Porter 11 So. LaSalle St. Chicago, Illinois Samuel Rogers 210 Confederation Life Bldg. Toronto, Ont., Canada Floyd A. Rowe Board of Education Cleveland, Ohio J. W. St. Clair Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas, Texas H. H. Salmon, Jr. 40 Wall St. New York, New York Oswald Tower Andover, Massachusetts Willard A. Witte Univ. of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming NATIONAL BASKETBALL COMMITTEE Questionnaire H. V. Porter NATIONAL FEDERATION H. S. A.A. - Y.M. CLA. - CANADIAN I. A U. and A. B. A. of the UNITED STATES and CANADA Vice CHairmAN, JOHN BUNN Stanford Univ., Palo Alto, Cal. Treasurer, FLOYD A. ROWE Board of Education, Cleveland, Ohio Epirorn, OSWALD TOWER Andover, Massachusetts CuairmMan, H. H. SALMON, Jr. 40 Wall St., New York, N. Y. Secretary, H, V. PORTER 11 So. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois May 15, 1939. Dre Fi Sa ALL OR, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, Dear Phog: Thank you for the page on new types of back-— boards,and cuts to go with it, I am enclosing a letter which I received some time ago and which I promised to pass on to the Aegearch Committee. I do not know whether this is anything your committee wishes to go into, but I am dropping it in your lap anyway. You do not need to return it for my files, I am already looking forward to our visit to the great open spaces where men are men , and basketball is basketball. The wnanimity with which your invitation was accepted is evidence of your salesmanship and diplomacy. With kindest regards, I am, Sincerely yours, National Basketball Committ ee The following is a brief summary of the principal changes in the basketball rules for next season, Only a few of these summaries have been prepared and therefore they cannot be supplied in quantities. An oarly edition of the official Tules will be available about June 15. Copies may be ordered from H. V. Porter, 11 South TaSalle Street, Chicago, Ill. We expect to have the regular edition of the Basketball Guide ready for distribution earlier this year than in the past. 1. The distance from face of backboard to end line has been made four feet, with proper @liowance on courts. where _ this distance is impossible, The maximum end ideal cours length for college teams is 94 feet, with distance between faces of backboards 86 feet. 2, After a free throw resulting from a technical foul, whether madé or missed, the team having the free throw is to be awarded the ball out of bounds at mid-—court. “hen a personal foul is called, the captain of the offended team may waive the free throw end elect to have the ball put in play from out of bounds at mid-court by any player of his team. lm , case of & multiple throw this applies to the last free throw only. It does not apply to ea double foul. 3. Ifa player in the act of shooting is fowled from behind, or roughly handled from any position, two free throws are to be awarded whether the field goal is made or missed. 4, Any play er of a team may ask for time out, that is, this privilege is no longer limited to the captain. 5. In games which go into overtime periods, each team is ensitled to an additional time-out for euch overtime period, 6. The words " or backboard " are to be deleted from mule 14,fe¢ 2, There will be numerous changes in wording which will heve Little effect on the meaning of the sections involved, Prepared for the National Besketbali Committee by memees. coe | Editor . Andover, Massachusetts, May 8, 1939. PRESIDENT Maurice V. Murphy, ’20 Hope Valley, R. I. VICE-PRESIDENT Rudolph H. Kohlberg, ’20 Auburn, R. I. nai ad a a al a la ills itl adc R. 1. Rams Club, Ine. TREASURER William J. Whelan, ’11 Kingston, R. I. SECRETARY William G. Mokray, ’29 Kingston, R. I. Kingston, R. I. March 14, 1939 Mr. Oswald Tower, Editor "Basketball Guide Andover, Mass, My dear Mr. Tower; Enclosed please find a resume of the 1938-1939 New England Conference basketball racq, which you might find interesting for next winter's basketball guide. Wo doubt, you will have to cut the long list of insignificant scorers, as you did for the current Guide, While writing this letter, I thought I might impose upon your time and ruminate upon scor- ing in hopes of convincing you that some action ought to be taken at the forthcoming basketball convention So that basketball box scores could be standardized and made to mean something, If you would permit, I'll digress and bring up baseball. Almost everywhere in the United States the box score is the Same, there being a regular pro- ceedure in listing the players according to their batting positions and pursuing the AB, R, H, PO, A, and Fina uniform fashion, with the possible exception of the errors, which, because of lack of space, especially when the column is divided into halves, are listed directiy beneath, : As a contrast, basketball offers a less complete and, certainly, a more diversified appear- ing box score, The current box score is decidedly "offen- Sive," in that it lists largely the statistics on those who scored or failed to score, Then, a variety of forms of box scores are located throughout the nation. While the majority use the tabulated type, there are ever so many that only list the DORE Reek bens presumably with the idea of saving space, list’ the fouls and goals, which tends to make the entire thing ambiguous or cumbersome to read, some newspapers list a player's name . . as often as he changes from one position to another, so, if a man plays guard, center and forward, or, even changes from one guard position to another, his name appears more than once. ea Mr. Tower----2 Other newspapers use B instead of G for a guard. I believe guard is the correct form, al- though I might be wrong. Also, while it makes no dif- ference, I believe most box scores start the line-up with the left forward (rather than the right). In con- trast to baseball again, they have a regular form, Starting from first to third, and then going from left field to right. While I might be an especially interest- ed fan on basketball, particularly in regards to inter- pretation of box scores and figures, I believe that if the above were broached to the rules makers, they will agree with me that there is a lack of uniformity and completeness in current basketball box scores, ? As a remedy, may I. suggest that the forthcoming convention accept, or go on record advising, a "more modern" or "the collegiate" or "the more intel- ligent" box score and so herald it that newspapers, adopt it with the start of next winter. My suggested form is as follows: oN TF Fa Ff Pie (tip rt, ©, 16, rele 33. 3° Jo 5.35 2 (Lower portion of box. score to list winner on top and scores according to quarters or halves, thus: Winning team 18 25---41 Losing Team 18 20---38 Referees--Jones and Black. Time of halves--20 minutes In interpreting the suggested form above, may 1 add that frequently a 3 Ot. 10 or 15 names in a box scores does not mean? Wr used, necess- arily. Most frequently, a coach uses a first team for about 35 or 38 minutes, shoves|in a second club, and then closes the dieing minutes, with a second batch of five, The paper comes out the next day with a total of 15 players and one says to himself: "Hmm, what an easy victory, 15 players used." Also, some Starting players or substitutes are used more frequently or longer than another of equal rank, yet, unless there is a flock of points alongside his name, the common inference is that he played a minute or two or was no good at all. Just as a digression, the cases of Hank Luisetti and Chet Jaworski, of RI, could be compared more easily, if the actual playing time of both could be had, which, without- doubt, would be more conclusive than the total number of actual games participated in. 3 ‘ iiliaRiisiestie lies Ram ai aie Mr. ToWereWw-35 Some may aver that keeping tabs on the min- utes actually played by each man would be difficult to check. I dowBbt it. That can be added duties for the timer, Forgetting the personal reference, I may add that up to two years ago, when I was employed by the athletic department here, I kept records/of all the Rhode Island games. While employed by the department, I also Was in the employment of the Providence Journal. Hence, these two duties had me do the following: keep a record of the playing times of members of both teams, a record of every shot, foul or field goal, attempted AND made by any of the 10 players on the court, in addition to a running story, record and description of every point made for the next morning's papers. I am human! It is not hard, I must confess. The timer usually was Fred Tootell, and I had him "trained" so that he'd bellow the time to | me, at the scorer's bench, everytime a substitut@ was made. fhat was easy. I sat next to the official scorer, and I identified players with numbers, and, whenever there were three or five immediate shots beneath the basket, I never took my eyes off the backboard or floor, and, the moment ‘there came a "lull," I commenced to jot down the figures of the players, as remembered, or suggested to me by those around me, who had been forewarmed that they might be Called upon for such assistance. The personal fouls I secured from the official scorer, as well as the foul tries one nad, I honestly believe that the form of box score Ihave suggested on the previous page Would be, by far, more informative than the present. While some might be loathe to do as much work hecessary to put it out, I believe that in due time everybody will be reconciled to it. I dare add that any student of basketball, be he a coach or ie reporter or a mere fan, can surmise a fair account of a a game merely by studying the proposed form; yes, he can eur ; write a good review of the game for the papers! es I trust you will regard my criticism as an effort to improve the game. I shall appreciate receiving a any criticism you may have of my recommendations. a Very truly yours, a : y - William G. Mokray STANDING COMMITTEES AS APPOINTED BY CHAIRMAN H. H. SALMON Executive Committee H. H. Salmon, Jr., Chairman John W. Bunn, Vice-Chairman H, V. Porter, Secretary Floyd A. Rowe, Treasurer Oswald Tower, Eqitor Publication Committee Oswald Tower, Chairman J. H. Crocker H. He Salmon, Jr. John W. Bunn H. V. Porter Floyd A. Rowe Research Commi ttee F, C. Allen, Chairman J. W. Bunn E. J. Hickox Curtis Parker H. V. Porter Floyd A. Rowe Questionnaire Committee H. V. Porter, chairman F, C. Allen J. Mark Good A. F. Jefferess H. G. Olsen Oswald Tower Games Administration Committee Sumer A. Dole, Chairman Dr. John Brown, dr. M. C. Cunningham ds W. St, Clair October 17, 1939s lr. Oswald Tower, Andover, Mase Dear Ost Thanks for your note of the lith instante i am gled to lmow thet you concur in our feeling re~ gerding the proposed basketball publication. I an sending you a copy of a recent letter that I have re- @eived fron Clair See so that you my keep informed — (on the plans. With best wishes, I em Sincerely yours, hstebtne of Visekinl stsihntiSen, said thimmendidann, ee NATIONAL COLLEGIATE A. A. - NATIONAL FEDERATION H.S.A.A. - Y.M.C. A. - CANADIAN I. A U. and A. B. A. NATIONAL BASKETBALL COMMITTEE of the UNITED STATES and CANADA CHAIRMEN OF SUB-COMMITTEES Vice CHAIRMAN, JOHN BUNN Executive Publication Cuairman, H. H. SALMON, Jr. Stanford Univ., Palo Alto, Cal. H.H.Satmon, Jr. §Oswato Tower 40 Wall St., New York, N. Y. Treasurer, FLOYD A. ROWE Research Questionnaire : Sacasrany, H. V. PORTER Board of Education, Cleveland, Ohio i H. V.P ; ae Forrest C ALLEN ORTER ll So. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois Epitor, OSWALD TOWER Game Administration Andover, Massachusetts Sumner A. Dote Ictober 11, 1939, Complete List of Committee Members F. C. Allen Univ. of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas John Brown Dr. F. one Allen, New fone New 3 Kansas University, New York, New York e Jehu mien Lawrence, Kansas, Stanford Univ. Palo Alto, California J. H. Crocker Dear Phog: to of carnights es ondon, Ont., Canada tt & Becaiiteiies Thank you for sending me a copy of Clair High School Bee's ‘letter. This is the first information I have Desloge, Missouri a ze . pS received about this activity. Sumner A. Dole Connecticut State College ie ti . Pee: Sona “here has long been a desire on the part ‘De n wr ~ * George Williams College of certain New York interests to encroach on some a en phases of the work of our Committee. They have met le De Ox 2 i j Springfield Colles with little success , however , and I do not antici-— Aion meus pate any harm to us from this effort. Frank P. Maguire Dept. of Public Instruction wr “4 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania With kindest regar ds, I am, W. E. Meanwell Shorewood Hills Madison, Wisconsin Curtis Parker Centennary College a Shreveport, Louisiana pincere Ly yours, H. V. Porter 11 So. LaSalle St. Chicago, Illinois Samuel Rogers Oy nw he aot 210 Confederation Life Bldg. Toronto, Ont., Canada Floyd A. Rowe Board of Education Cleveland, Ohio J. W. St. Clair Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas, Texas H. H. Salmon, Jr. 40 Wall St. New York, New York Oswald Tower Andover, Massachusetts Willard A. Witte Univ. of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming October 17, 1939. Dean of Men, Stenford University, Californias Dear Johns iwes glad to receive your note of the 12th instent and to Imow that you coneur in our feeling re gerding the publication of the proposed basketball enmmie I sent Jme Salmon a copy of the same inforn- ation that I sent you, but I am glad that you wrote him alsde With best wishes, I an Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Education and Recreation, FCA sAH Varsity Basketball Coach. STANFORD UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF MEN STANFORD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA October 12, 1939 Dr. Forrest C. Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Doctor Allen: This will acknowledge your letter of Octo- ber 7 which was sent to members of the Rules Com-— mittee. I have received a similar request from Clair Bee. However, Bee asked me to write a re- sume of the rules changes for this year. I am referring him to Oswald Tower. The Same question arose in my mind concern- ing this publication as the one which has impelled you to write to a number of us. If this publication is to be in competition with the rules book, then I see no reason why we should help in its publica- tion. I think we should get a statement from June Scalmon before any move is made. I am writing him accordingly. With best wishes, I am Very cordially yours, NATIONAL COLLEGIATE A. A. - NATIONAL FEDERATION H. S. A. A. - Y.M.C,A. - C:ANADIAN I. A. U. and A. B. A. CHAIRMEN OF SUB-COMMITTEES ~ Publication Oswatp Tower Executive H. H. Satmon, Jr. Research Forrest C. ALLEN Game Administration Questionnaire H. V. Porter NATIONAL BASKETBALL COMMITTEE of the UNITED STATES and CANADA Vice CHairMaAN, JOHN BUNN Stanford Univ., Palo Alto, Calif. Treasurer, FLOYD A. ROWE Board of Education, Cleveland, Ohio Epitrorn, OSWALD TOWER Andover, Massachusetts CuairmMan, H. H. SALMON, Jr. 40 Wall St., New York, N. Y. Secretary, H. V. PORTER 11 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois Sumner A. Dote Complete List of Committee Members F. C. Allen Univ. of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas John Brown, Jr. 347 Madison Ave. New York, New York John Bunn Stanford Univ. Palo Alto, California Forrest Cox Colorado University Boulder, Colorado J. H. Crocker Univ. of Western Ontario London, Ont., Canada M. C. Cunningham High School Desloge, Missouri Sumner A. Dole Connecticut State College Storrs, Connecticut J. Mark Good Sun-Gazette Co. E. J. Hickox Springfield College Springfield, Massachusetts A. F. Jefferess 114 Carrick Ave. Hamilton, Ont., Canada Frank P. Maguire Dept. of Public Instruction Harrisburg, Pennsylvania H. G. Olsen Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Curtis Parker Centennary College Shreveport, Louisiana H. V. Porter 11S. LaSalle St. Chicago, Illinois Floyd A. Rowe Board of Education Cleveland, Ohio J. W. St. Clair Southern Methodist Univ. Dallas, Texas H. H. Salmon, Jr. 40 Wall St. New York, New York Oswald Tower Andover, Massachusetts October 10, 1939 Mr. Forrest C. 4llen Univ. of Kan sas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Mr. Allen: I appreciate having your letter of October 7th with eclosure from Clair Bee. This is the first information I have had concerning the proposed annual. I agree with you that we should use caution and mke further investigation before lending the support of members of the committee toa work of this kind which might develop into a competitor of the almanac which accompanies the Williamsport, Pennsylvania. puide. Secretary HVP/ 3