New rule could affect pace of play - #lakewoodnews

The Colorado High School Activities Association, which stepped forward with pitch-count limitations last spring in high school baseball, is once again looking ahead as one of three states to experiment with a 40-second play clock in football this season.

Indiana, Michigan and Colorado will use the experimental rule this season. Texas has been using a 40-second clock since 2014 and the rule is used by the NCAA.

Once an offensive play is over and the ball is placed on the ground, the 40-second clock will start. No official will give a signal to mark the ball ready for play.

This is a change from the 25-second-clock rule, in which an official would have to signal to start the clock after marking the ball ready for play.

In a few circumstances, the 25-second clock will still be employed. For instance, after a penalty, a timeout, a measurement, a change of possession or a scoring play.

According to CHSAA, the experimental rule could be in place for up to three seasons, but it could go in front of the National Federation of State High School Association football rules committee for adoption if enough states agree with the rule.

The goal of the 40-second clock is to improve the flow of the game. Teams can play as fast or slow as they want.

The rule change was announced by CHSAA July 29.

Douglas County football coach Gene Hill and his staff gathered to talk about the change. They hope to get more clarification later this month.

"We talked about this as a coaching staff for the first time yesterday (July 29)," he said. "Our first thought was actually practicing with a stopwatch to get a feel for the 40 seconds between plays.

"It was nice in the past because you knew the play clock started when the referee blew the whistle for play. This could actually streamline consistency of the clock and actually quicken the pace of the game a little. Nothing wrong with more action for everybody involved."

ThunderRidge coach Joe Johnson prefers the 25-second rule.

"It was an unnecessary change," he said.

The pitch-count rules to prevent overworked arms was a success last spring, except for a few cases. CHSAA is still working on way to better enforce the pitch limitations and finding ways to communicate to each team the official pitch counts.

Hill believes the state needs to make adjustments if the 40-second play clock becomes permanent in Colorado.

"If this is adopted, the state is going to have to mandate play clocks in the back of the end zones like other states to make it easier not just for the teams but for the referees as well," he said. "If easy technology is available to help streamline a simple rule like this, why wouldn't we take advantage of it?"

Practice time

Boys golf teams can begin formal practice Aug. 8 and all other fall sports teams can start practice Aug. 15.

Tournament play for boys golf can start Aug. 11 with the first tennis matches set for Aug. 18 and softball games Aug. 19. On Aug. 20, all other sports can commence competition, with the exception of football, which starts Aug. 25.

Coach of the year

Pomona boys track coach Jim Donnel has been named Colorado Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Donnel's team came together late last spring and surprised other contending teams with a strong effort to win the Class 5A state championship last May.

Jim Benton is a sports writer for Colorado Community Media. He has been covering sports in the Denver area since 1968. He can be reached at jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com or at 303-566-4083.

 

 

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