“Running Time” or “Mercy Rule” is not needed
Just about all high school activities in Minnesota are guided by the rules and regulations of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). The league has many good rules and some that may be well-intended, but are really “out of touch” in their effort to meet the desired objective.
The best example of an “out-of-touch” rule is the 35-point “Mercy Rule” which demands that basketball games go to “running time” when one team is leading by at least 35 points with less than nine minutes remaining. I have long thought that this is a ridiculous rule.
The intention of the rule is keep the score from getting too lop-sided. With running time going, the clock does not stop — except for timeouts. Balls knocked out-of-bounds, violations, not even free throws stop the clock. Once “running time” is in effect, the game goes by very quickly — too quickly!
Here’s the problem I have with “running time:” It penalizes the substitutes.
It’s really a ridiculous rule. Instead of denying playing time to a team’s substitutes, why not make the rule read: “Once a team has a 35-point lead with less than nine minutes to play, no starters from that team shall be allowed to remain in the game.”
That would be a simple adjustment and not have a team’s valuable substitute players get the short end of much-deserved playing time by having the clock not stop. Why, a game can even end before a player gets to shoot a free throw. That’s really ridiculous.
I think the MSHSL should seriously consider changing this rule. The league seems to want to promote opportunities for the state’s student-athletes. The current “Mercy Rule” with the clock running — while the substitutes get a chance to play — is contrary to the concept of providing opportunity for them. Instead of giving them an equal chance to play by the same rules, with the clock stopping, it penalizes them (as time slips away) and that is most unfair.
How well do you remember when some of the other rules were adjusted?
Speaking of rule changes by the MSHSL, three big ones happened during the 1980s. Do you remember the year that the new rules went into effect for the following three new adjustments to high school basketball in Minnesota?
The first big change was no more jump balls (just one to start the game). When did alternate possession replace the jump ball (which happened so frequently in the early days of girls’ basketball)?
A second big change was when girls started playing with the smaller ball. What year was the last year that girls played with the same bigger-sized ball as the boys?
Of course, the third big change of the 1980s was the addition of the three-point shot. What was the first year that high school basketball players in Minnesota could make a shot that would count three points?
I will have the answers next week. In the meantime, feel free to let me know (if you know) and call me or text me at 507-822-2053 or send me an email at lknutson5169@gmail.com.
Here’s another one, which happened more recently. What year was the first that two halves replaced four quarters in Minnesota high school basketball? Both Iowa and South Dakota still play four eight-minute quarters. Minnesota’s two 18-minute halves are four minutes longer (36 compared to 32) which, I think, has been a good thing. I wouldn’t mind, however, having games broken up into four nine-minute quarters. I always liked the quarter break.
What about the shot clock? That may be next change coming. South Dakota uses it and it’s been part of college basketball for a long time. The bigger schools seem to favor the shot clock, so it’s likely coming in the next few years?
Super Saturday for girls’ basketball is the week, Saturday, February 23. The boys will follow the same four-game (tournament quarterfinals) scenario at Worthington next Saturday March 2. With those two events fast approaching, winter — like it or not — is winding down and spring is looming on the horizon!!!
