Rules Committee

Gov. Martin O'Malley will serve as co-chair of the Democratic convention's rules committee this year, a high-profile position that comes amid rampant speculation in party circles about his potential as a presidential candidate in 2016. The assignment, which the Democratic National Committee announced Thursday, will put O'Malley at the head of a committee that oversees not only logistical issues for the party's convention in Charlotte but that would also decide any internal delegation disputes that arise.

The NCAA rules committee's decision on Thursday not to recommend a shot clock for the 2015 season drew a mixed reaction from a pair of area Division I men's lacrosse coaches. A shot clock had been a heavily debated topic as players, coaches and fans bemoaned the slower pace of play associated with a game that has been called "the fastest sport on two feet. " But the committee, which met Tuesday through Thursday in Indianapolis, instead suggested by next spring the installation of a visible shot clock for the 30-second warning issued when officials rule that an offense is stalling and not making a concerted effort to attack the net. "I'm surprised because I did think there had been enough conversation and a lot of proponents for the shot clock," Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala said.

Looking to increase the pace of play in the sport, the NCAA men's lacrosse rules committee has recommended a 30-second countdown for teams to take a shot after the referee has issued a stall warning. The proposal follows growing criticism that stalling tactics – such as those employed by Maryland in runs to the national title game the past two seasons – are stunting the growth of the game and turning away potential fans. The 30-second rule -- as well as other wide-ranging recommendations by the committee, which met Monday to Thursday in Indianapolis -- must be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel; the group is scheduled to meet via conference call in September.

The No. 1 topic in men's college lacrosse this offseason is whether the NCAA will trade its "timer on" rule for a true shot clock. Three men with local ties -- North Carolina coach  Joe Breschi (Loyola High), Delaware coach Bob Shillinglaw (Severna Park) and Mount St. Mary's associate athletic director Mike Hardisky  (Towson State) -- will be part of the nine-member NCAA rules committee that will decide whether to make that change, along with several other possible tweaks.

The NCAA rules committee's decision on Thursday not to recommend a shot clock for the 2015 season drew a mixed reaction from a pair of area Division I men's lacrosse coaches. A shot clock had been a heavily debated topic as players, coaches and fans bemoaned the slower pace of play associated with a game that has been called "the fastest sport on two feet. " But the committee, which met Tuesday through Thursday in Indianapolis, instead suggested by next spring the installation of a visible shot clock for the 30-second warning issued when officials rule that an offense is stalling and not making a concerted effort to attack the net. "I'm surprised because I did think there had been enough conversation and a lot of proponents for the shot clock," Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala said.

The death of Cornell University's George Boiardi last spring has had a resounding effect on the men's collegiate lacrosse community. When the NCAA men's lacrosse rules committee convenes next week in San Diego, officials will be seriously addressing whether similar tragic incidents can be avoided or prevented in the future, whether by rules changes or upgrades in protective equipment. Boiardi is believed to have been a victim of commotio cordis - a syndrome that occurs when a blow is absorbed over the heart at precisely the wrong time - after blocking a shot with his chest.

WASHINGTON -- The Senate Rules Committee unanimously dismissed a petition yesterday to unseat Sen. Bob Packwood for lying during last fall's campaign about accusations that he made aggressive sexual advances toward women.The Rules Committee action, taken without debate, concerned the narrow issue of whether the Oregon Republican's election in November could be overturned on the grounds of fraud. "This doesn't mean we've dismissed the Packwood case at all," said Sen. Ted Stevens, an Alaska Republican.

If the NCAA proceeds with proposed rule changes setting new guidelines for lacrosse sticks, you might see fewer flashy moves in traffic and more ground balls, but possibly also better passing. Citing concerns that the ball no longer dislodges often enough from a player's stick upon contact, the sport's rules committee has recommended that lacrosse sticks return to a design that is bigger, more triangular, and more traditional in shape. The recommendations - which must be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel before they become official, and would not be enforced until 2009 - were made public yesterday after being recommended last month.

The Senate Rules Committee was absolutely correct to reject the challenge to Sen. Bob Packwood's election. That is true even if Senator Packwood, the Oregon Republican, lied about having sexually harassed numerous women -- including employees -- while a senator. Neither the lying nor the harassment itself would justify the Senate's overturning the results of a bona fide election.It is not sexist to say so. The most forceful argument against those who wanted the committee to urge the Senate to overturn the election was presented by one of the committee's newest members, freshman Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California.

Acting to strengthen a new law that made felony juvenile hearings public, a Court of Appeals committee is expected to recommend this week that all Maryland courts post notice of open cases with the names and charges of all minors facing felonies.The Court of Appeals Rules Committee is expected to meet and formally make its recommendation to the full court Friday."We'll be preparing a rule that clarifies that calendar assignments and court assignments are not confidential," Judge Joseph F. Murphy Jr., chairman of the committee, said yesterday.

The Maryland Senate turned back efforts Thursday to allow taping of committee voting sessions and to make it more likely that people who come to Annapolis to testify on bills will be heard. On the recommendation of the Rules Committee,  senators rejected an effort by Sen. Allan Kittleman, a Howard County Republican, to make public an audio record of the discussions that take place before committees vote on whether to kill bills or let them move to the floor for action. The vote was 41-6 against.

Looking to increase the pace of play in the sport, the NCAA men's lacrosse rules committee has recommended a 30-second countdown for teams to take a shot after the referee has issued a stall warning. The proposal follows growing criticism that stalling tactics – such as those employed by Maryland in runs to the national title game the past two seasons – are stunting the growth of the game and turning away potential fans. The 30-second rule -- as well as other wide-ranging recommendations by the committee, which met Monday to Thursday in Indianapolis -- must be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel; the group is scheduled to meet via conference call in September.

Gov. Martin O'Malley will serve as co-chair of the Democratic convention's rules committee this year, a high-profile position that comes amid rampant speculation in party circles about his potential as a presidential candidate in 2016. The assignment, which the Democratic National Committee announced Thursday, will put O'Malley at the head of a committee that oversees not only logistical issues for the party's convention in Charlotte but that would also decide any internal delegation disputes that arise.

Maryland's highest court on Wednesday approved changes to a set of rules that require debt collectors to provide greater proof that they are entitled to sue consumers, according to a Baltimore-based legal advocacy group. The Maryland Court of Appeals agreed to revise three rules of the Maryland Rules of Procedure that will, in part, force companies that buy past-due consumer debts — and attempt to collect by suing — to present sufficient evidence to back up their claims, said Jonathan F. Harris, an attorney with the Public Justice Center.

After much debate, the NCAA lacrosse rules committee decided to implement changes in the faceoff rule this season, and even though it won't have significant impact, it helps the game. If there are fewer illegal-procedure penalties called on faceoffs this season, then the new rule probably will serve its purpose. And if there are more six-on-five fast breaks after faceoffs, then the rule definitely will be getting enforced. According to the rule change, if a wing player commits a technical violation before a faceoff, that team's faceoff man must leave the field through the special-substitution area as the official begins play with a quick restart at midfield.

If the NCAA proceeds with proposed rule changes setting new guidelines for lacrosse sticks, you might see fewer flashy moves in traffic and more ground balls, but possibly also better passing. Citing concerns that the ball no longer dislodges often enough from a player's stick upon contact, the sport's rules committee has recommended that lacrosse sticks return to a design that is bigger, more triangular, and more traditional in shape. The recommendations - which must be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel before they become official, and would not be enforced until 2009 - were made public yesterday after being recommended last month.

The state's judicial rules panel recommended yesterday that judges not be allowed to reduce criminals' sentences without proof that prosecutors have tried to notify the victims. The proposal, which would tighten victim-notification provisions, was made less than a week before General Assembly committees are to hold hearings on bills that seek to limit the wide discretion judges have in cutting sentences. The bills seek to impose a one-year limit on the time in which judges can reconsider their sentences.

Annapolis residents overwhelmingly told city officials Monday night that the way to solve the city's ills is not through a curfew.TheCity Council's rules committee responded by unanimously rejecting the curfew proposed by Mayor Alfred A. Hopkins. The vote came after a public hearing in City Hall attended by about 60 people.The council will vote on the bill next Monday, but aldermen said the rules committee's vote all but assures the curfew's defeat.Alderman Ruth C. Gray, R-Ward 4, a rules committee member, said the vote was a mandate for a less restrictive approach to solving drug-related violence and downtown rowdiness.

Nearly a year after Cornell defenseman George Boiardi died after stepping in front of a shot, getting struck in the chest and going into cardiac arrest, the NCAA is still grappling with proactive ways to prevent a repeat of such a tragedy. The NCAA men's lacrosse rules committee has considered rules changes, such as forbidding any player but a goalkeeper to step into the cage. It has considered requiring all players to wear chest protectors and consulted with manufacturers about the feasibility of such an equipment addition.

For the second time in less than a year, a Howard County high school has self-reported the use of an out-of-district player on its football team. This time, a Glenelg football player is ineligible, and the Howard County rules and infractions committee will meet Monday to decide on a penalty. Last February, following Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association guidelines, Wilde Lake forfeited five wins in which an out-of-district player participated. Yesterday, Glenelg principal Kar Schindler announced to the Glenelg High community the state eligibility infraction.