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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
NCAA Basketball Baseline Regulations
Sam Morris, Photographer
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Henderson (Las Vegas) | NV | USA | Posted: 9:15 PM on 11.18.10 |
->> I remember years ago seeing a diagram from the NCAA denoting the space allocated for photographers and cheerleaders at basketball games. I'm not sure if it was a general rule or for the NCAA tournament.
Does anyone know where to find this information? I haven't been able to locate it.
The reason I ask is that UNLV has sold seats on the baseline, cutting in half our shooting positions. It's kind of a pain for us, but we are working it out. Our biggest concern is a player getting hurt or getting a beer dumped on our gear. Are there any other arenas that have done this?
Thanks. |
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Colin Hackley, Photographer
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Tallahassee | FL | USA | Posted: 10:10 PM on 11.18.10 |
->> Florida State has placed seats on the sideline opposite the benches for two years now. The seats stop before the baseline.
Thankfully they have not cut in to the photo box. I just hope they don't see this thread ! |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 10:24 PM on 11.18.10 |
->> Sam,
The NCAA guidelines are only for the tournament play.
During the regular season it is up to each university to position photographers as they see fit. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 10:44 PM on 11.18.10 |
| ->> Sam, they are actually already cutting into photo boxes with rolling ads in may venues....NC. State Wake Forest and University of Miami are some I can name right off the bat. You can't sit in front of them at all..... |
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Sam Morris, Photographer
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Henderson (Las Vegas) | NV | USA | Posted: 11:37 PM on 11.18.10 |
->> OK, thanks George.
Chuck, they used to have ads in the corners/into the shooting positions when I got here a dozen years ago but fortunately they haven't had them for quite a while. Now we have some $10k chairs with a chance of injuring a player. For UNLV's sake, I hope it won't be a visiting player who ends up suing the school. |
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David Manning, Photographer
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Athens | GA | | Posted: 12:25 AM on 11.19.10 |
->> We have seats up against the floor at Georgia. Their put their feet where we sit.
We're trying to work with the Athletic Dept but our concerns are falling on deaf ears. |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 6:11 AM on 11.19.10 |
->> George, actually, and if I understand the question, (baseline space allocations) unless this has been changed for this year, the NCAA guidelines for space at the baseline is for all season. The WAC, Pac10 and ACC all have about the same 4 foot gap between the baseline and photographers positions. I also noticed very similar strict enforcement among the conferences as well.
The other things I notice is that schools are selling high-dollar baseline seats that squeeze you between the fan and the photographer's line. That's just the way it is. At Cal I sat between this guys feet an entire game and he was very good about it, but we had to constantly allow for each other the whole game. It's a pain in the ass, but.....whateryoogonnado. Welcome to the big time. One thing about all this I did find out, is those fans SCREAM like none other. Wear earplugs; seriously; at Fresno State we have a guy who sits on my right and SCREAMS intimidation at opposing players and the refs the whole game. I swear, he was trained in the Black Hole at Oakland Stadium during Raider games. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 8:15 AM on 11.19.10 |
->> Phil,
The fact there must be clear zone from the baseline may be a regulation, but there is no rule that photographers, cheerleaders, pep band, mascot or anyone be allowed to sit there.
Schools can put fans, band, players, administrators, advertisements or whatever they want there. It is not a designated "press only" area except in the tournament. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 10:39 AM on 11.19.10 |
| ->> @phil, better than the jerk at UVA who actually screams AND spits on you the whole game....not to mention is a real jerk. |
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Scott Evans, Photographer
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Bay Village | OH | USA | Posted: 12:41 PM on 11.19.10 |
| ->> crowded at my venue as well but on the upside, I'm usually wedged amongst the cheerleaders, rather than spectators so it could be worse. floor seating is available at both baselines and the sideline (which seems nuts since attendance isn't typically that great). |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 1:32 PM on 11.19.10 |
| ->> Thanks for the clarification, George... true indeed. |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 9:51 AM on 11.20.10 |
->> Face it...nobody cares about photographers, and photographers have no "rights" in any sport. If you're lucky, you'll have an enlightened SID contact who will take care of you as best they can. But whether it is seats being sold or just the design of the venue you're really not "entitled" to any particular space.
I've found the best strategy depends on the interloper.
Cheerleaders: We have one conference venue where the home team deploys massive armies of cheerleaders/dance team covering both baselines. But at most places, I've found cheerleaders to basically be nice and a quick "negotiation" pre-game usually yields some form of compromise as to where I will shoot so as not to be in their way and vice versa.
Straphangers. The bosters, relatives, etc., who have their sideline credential I usually handle with a quick but polite "excuse me" and then crouch right in front of them focused on the game action. That usually gets the point across that I'm here to work and they are guests and I seldom have any problems.
TV shooters. Physical violence. Well, not exactly, but if I see one starting to move into my field of view, I'll extend my arm and physically block their path. Or say things like "tell me you didn't just step in front of my shot?" |
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