Hon Fraser League likely to resume next weekend
On September 27, 2015, in a statement issued to the media, the League Committee disclosed that all games in the League had been suspended until further notice.
“The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League has announced that all Basketball Games played at the Save the Seed Centre in Duff's Bottom, effective immediately (including the games tonight Sunday 27, September 2015), have been postponed until further notice.
“We regret the inconvenience and will have an announcement this week on the future of the League,” the email stated.
In a further email today, October 2, 2015, the League said there will be no games this weekend October 2 - 4, 2015.
Hon Fraser was asked by this news site when the league is likely to resume and he responded, “The hope is not later than the weekend of October 9, 2015.”
In the meantime, the League has seen it necessary to put some new rules and security measures in place, which it said are necessary to protect fans, players, referees, sponsors, and the integrity of the League.
“Because of the wanton disregard for the rules of the League by some players, managers and coaches, the League has found it necessary to implement the following measures for its own survival and the good of the game;
1. (a) In order to protect and preserve "Bylaws Section: TEAM UNIFORMS (v) All uniform tops must be placed in pants while participating in a game" . Referees shall demand a player's jersey be placed in his pants in order to effect the continuation of a game, and if in the referee’s opinion a third infraction occurs as a result of the player’s derelictions, such as the pulling down of the pants, such an infraction shall attract a technical foul on the player, followed by ejection for a subsequent infraction.
(b) Should the referee observe more than 3 players from a team on the court in violation of this rule, the referee shall levy a technical foul on the team.
2. (a) Team Coaches MUST also lead by example by being well attired, using a simple but proper dress code. No hats or head covering of any type, no slippers or sandals will be allowed. Referees are to ensure that this rule is followed. Any failure to follow this rule shall result in forfeiture of the game.
(b) Only eligible players, plus a maximum of four (4) officials properly attired and registered at the scorer's table, may be on the team’s bench; therefore, no one, particularly babies in Coaches’ hand/lap and including team members not playing and followers of the team should be seen sitting on the bench during a game.
3. Correct frozen rosters MUST be presented to the Head Scorer at the table 15 minutes before game commences.”
Concerns of indiscipline
In an invited comment on September 27, 2015, Chairman of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League Committee Mr Julian Willock had said the postponement had to do with concerns of indiscipline among players.
“The directors and co-founders Hon Julian Fraser and Bishop John I. Cline want to do a reassessment of the League because there have been some issues of indiscipline. There have been some issues with the lack of respect for the game, the fans, the referees’ authority, so the directors want to do a reassessment as to where we are and what corrective measures may need to be taken and whether teams in general are serious about playing by the rules and exhibiting good sportsmanship,” Mr Willock had told Virgin Islands News Online.
The League, in its 3rd year of staging, is nearing the playoffs with defending champions Bayside Blazers unbeaten so far. Other teams that seem keen on preventing a Blazers repeat include Warriors, Run it Red, West Gunners, Knights and ESplash Brothers.
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