For those of you who do not know, I am a huge fan of Recreational Basketball. It is unlike any other organized sport I have ever taken part in—I love spending my Thursday nights at the Bedford Middle School gym.

I love it not only because basketball is my favorite sport, but also because Rec basketball is the home to incredible humor, entertainment, and over-exaggerated statistics. However, as a sincere fan of Rec, I would like to see some change implemented for those who will follow in my footsteps—or in other words, my parting shots.

No more dress codes; Rec embodies freedom of expression. When I found out that there was a uniform policy for Rec, I was pretty upset. Rec Basketball, although it is very serious for some, is Recreational for a reason. Players should be allowed to wear what ever they desire during the games.

Here are some of the rules on the league website established this year that I just don’t agree with.

“All players who elect to wear a t-shirt must wear the same color, Approved t-shirt colors are: black, white or gray.”

Hold on a second, so does this mean I cannot wear a plaid undershirt?

Wearing a different colored undershirt is not like taking performance enhancing drug. If someone wants to wear a flannel under their jersey, they should have the right to. Besides, what harm can a different color undershirt bring to Rec?

“Players must wear black shorts (all black). Under garment support girdles or tights may be worn under the shorts; they must be black in color.”

Only black shorts? Like I said before, Rec should embody freedom of expression, not discourage it. Having only black shorts is ridiculous, but not really as ridiculous as the next sentence. I can’t wear my yellow tights‽ Come on.

So far, these rules have not been enforced. Then again, how can someone monitor this? Who is going to look for support girdle? But more importantly, who is going to be checking its color? Oy vey.

We need a one league system. That’s right. There shall be one league for all grades—9th to 12th grade. Before you jump down my throat claiming having underclassmen in the same league as upperclassmen will ruin Rec, please hear me out.

I sincerely believe that Rec would be better if it looked like college basketball. What I envision is a system that will ultimately have one draft per year, and that draft only would include freshman (and new Rec players).

Players in other grades will stay on the same team they were on the previous year—much in the way a college team is formed. The drafted freshman will replace the seniors who graduate, thus keeping the system balanced (assuming that Rec’s turnout remains constant).

There are a couple of reasons why I like the idea.

This system would take Rec to a new level. Having the same team for potentially four years will only the strengthen the bond between teammates, the continuity that many Rec teams already possess.

This system will also make Rec an even more accepting environment than it already is. Having multiple grades on teams not only presents for a more diverse Rec league, but it also adds depth to the league. Having a diverse set of age groups makes for a more unique basketball experience.

Finally, it also would give inferior teams a chance to improve the following year. Under this proposed system, the teams who finish last would get first pick of freshman/new Rec players the next year. This would allow for a balance in the league.

If you’re still not convinced that freshman can keep up with seniors, look no further than the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2001, the NBA created the NBA Development League (D-League) to create a minor league farm system.

This can be applied to Rec. If each team had a Junior Varsity or D-League team, underclassmen wouldn’t necessarily have to play with upperclassmen, but if they are talented enough, it would be a way to keep underclassmen entertained and surrounded by talent.

As a four year player of Rec, I would like to see some changes made to the league. Rec is loved by its players, but it does have a few flaws. Remove the dress code, establish one official league and one D-League, and Rec will transcend to new heights.