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Show u I Better Late Than rJever By DAVE WIGHAM ' The old cliche of 'It's better late than never' is the best way to sum up the Utah High Schools Activities As-O As-O sociation decision to do away with the rule prohibiting playing sports outside of their season. ESPECIALLY noticeable will be the summer leagues )f for the basketball teams. In years past as soon as the 'V State tournament was over, the basketball players S couldn't touch a ball until the season began next year. J Now the association has decided to catch up to the times and allow the players to play year round. Many U observers feel some of the schools have been doing this rj system all along, so why not make it legal. . FOR YEARS THE coaches and basketball fans have f been saying the rest of the nation is ahead of Utah in 1 basketball talent because they let their players play year i. round. Well now we'll see if that's really true. " But will this basketball league do any harm to the football programs. If a kid can play basketball all year, ! will he want to play football at all? 3' I THINK THE two sports, and all sports can work hand in hand with this new rule. It just means that a player ... I can pick up a ball without being penalized. It's also a good rule for the All-Star games. Several I years ago Bountiful's Larry Miller had an opportunity to go to California and play in a basketball game for All- Stars. If he had gone, under the old rule, he would have been ineligible for baseball. ,, THIS YEAR, under the new rule, Danny Vranes can go ' play in all the games he wants to and still high jump for .' his high school. " I think it'll be a good rule if nobody abuses it. If one coach goes overboard with the program, it could hurt il everyone. ... I THE COACHES in the area are excited for the summer program. They expect to organize a county league for all H their players. Hopefully the coaches and players will use this new rule to improve their abilities and performance I and that no one will abuse the rule or use it to hurt other sports, dw |