THE MAIL
Far too often the block-charge call goes against a player making a legal move, especially when blocks are called. The offensive player knows where he is going, so it should be up to him to use fakes or footwork to get a clear path to the basket. The defensive player's job is to establish a good position, straight on, between the offensive player and the basket. If this is done while beating the offensive player to the spot, a charge should be called.
Jim Mortensen, Oxford, N.Y.
Block That Charge
I agree with Mike Bebernes's article about the block-charge (SCORECARD). For 30 years I've been screaming that the charge shouldn't be called if a player is driving to the basket and leaves his feet. If you can't block the ball, get out of the way.
Rick Kushner, Brooklyn
True Blue
Professional sports have become very predictable and boring. As a lifelong Dodgers fan I think having a player like rightfielder Yasiel Puig on the roster (The Great Disrupter), a guy who keeps fans on the edge of their seats because they know they're likely to see something outrageous when he is involved, is part of what keeps Dodgers fans like me coming back for more. He may be a disrupter to some, but many of us love his exciting, "unscripted" approach to the game.
Eric Schofer
Fort Montgomery, N.Y.
Go Fish
Thank you for your recent feature on the Bassmaster Classic (Up to Your Ass in Bass, March 17). As the president and CEO of the fishing and boating website TakeMeFishing.org, I was thrilled to see the Classic and the sport of fishing get recognition. It had 200,000 attendees this year and is helping to popularize fishing. We are thrilled to see the sport's many newcomers, especially the kids who are now admiring anglers, picking up rods and reels, and spending time in nature. The more families we have participating, the more people will appreciate and respect our aquatic natural resources.
Frank Peterson
Alexandria, Va.
Eliminating the charge call would do nothing more than give players license to barrel over or jump on top of defenders to score baskets.
Tish Holder Durham, N.C.
CONTACT
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Letters
E-mail SI at letters@SI.timeinc.com or fax SI at 212-467-2417. Letters should include the writer's full name, address and home telephone number and may be edited for clarity and space.
Customer Service and Subscriptions
For 24/7 service, go to SI.com/customerservice. Call 1-800-528-5000 or write to SI at P.O. Box 30602, Tampa, FL 33630-0602. To purchase reprints of SI covers, go to SIcovers.com.
Advertising
For ad rates, an editorial calendar or a media kit, e-mail SI at SIpubqueries@timeinc.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Which team is more likely to pull off an upset in the Final Four: Kentucky or UConn?
Paul Luebeck UConn. They beat Florida earlier this season so they know what it takes to win.
Charlie Baum Kentucky, but only because they are an 8th seed. The way they're playing, I wouldn't consider a win that big of an upset.
Colt Mbang No team can stop UConn's super quick backcourt, not even Florida. The Huskies have improved since they beat the Gators in December and have raised their intensity in the tournament.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Sorry about busting your bracket @BarackObama... We have room on our bandwagon if you're interested
UConn Huskies (@UConnHuskies)
PHOTO
ETHAN HYMAN/RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER/MCT/GETTY IMAGES (BLOCK-CHARGE)
FOR MARCH 24, 2014
PHOTO
AL TIELEMANS/SI (SOCIAL MEDIA)
PHOTO
ARIZONA: JOHN W. MCDONOUGH/SI
PHOTO
FLORIDA: BILL FRAKES/SI
PHOTO
MICHIGAN STATE: AL TIELEMANS/SI, ERICK W. RASCO/SI (CLEAVES INSET)
PHOTO
SYRACUSE: MICHAEL J. LEBRECHT II FOR SI (AND ANTHONY INSET)
PHOTO
UCONN: SIMON BRUTY/SI
PHOTO
WICHITA STATE: AL TIELEMANS/SI, DARREN CARROLL FOR SI (CARR INSET), SCOTT K. BROWN FOR SI (MCDANIEL INSET)
FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS