BALL OR BASE

I'm surprised nobody has written about it yet, but did you agree with the call in the Steelers/Ravens game? Did the ball break the plane of the goal line? Was it clear? Both feet were down, but did the ball cross the line beyond a shadow of a doubt?

Irregardless of that call, why don't we use the ball to determine out of bounds, forward progress, 1st Down or TD? Why do we use the base? Would it really be all that hard to use the ball if there is one? I would think, in this modern day of customization, wouldn't it be more accurate to designate any and all potential offensive ball carriers with a ball of some sort so that we can measure the ball and not the forwardmost part of the base?

I know most of us stopped "adding" a ball when we designate a runner because of the dreaded Electric Slide, but would it really be so hard to use an onfield BALL REF to mark the spot and then give your guy the ball? How long should that take? 3-seconds? How 'bout we allow 10?

Here's how:

• Offense "set"
• Defense "set"
• Offense audible(s): pivot(s) and/or advanced pivot(s) and/or motion(s)
• Defense audible(s): pivot(s) and/or advanced pivot(s) and/or motion(s)
• Offense calls play: "Passing" or "Run #34"
  • If "Run 34" - Defense sets Ball Ref; Offense lifts player, places ball in arm/hand; sets player back down (10-second max)
• Defense runs switch until #34 gets tackled, runs OB, forward progress stops or he scores, all of which the ball determines the spot.

What say YOU?

[Coach K-LO]

it would be extremly hard to make the call on anything if you use the ball to determine field position

I experimented with that when I was a kid. The reason was the 10 yard marker was of no use other than to mark the sidelines. I would mark the ball down where it was in relation to the field not the forward progress of the base. I could then actually use the 1st down marker with the sliding point to measure for 1st downs. It wasn't perfect, but it did add to the game.

[Ron_C]

I'll just use my custom "Strertch Arm Strong" figure with the 100 yd arm for a TD.

I'm not too sure of who would want to vote and call them self a weeny, or a blonde that is clueless, both of which have nothing to do with the actual answer? For some reason, I do kind of like to use the ball. I think to use the ball, it could be considered as adding another dimension for the really good coaches who want a little "umpf" introduced to the game. With the custom players, would there be a concern of how far the ball goes beyond the exterior of the base?

At the same time, I think rules need to be universal and recognized as "official", so this might just be too much?

Just to be open minded, I did vote use the ball.

[Shabby J]

I am a weeny and I use the base, because that is the way you do it!

As they say....