[Goose]

Jewelry..to be or not to be!

Let's see, after almost 5000 rec league games, I have been fortunate to see maybe a half dozen serious injuries, none of which were caused by jewelry.

Now I know it only takes one, to end up in court, but there are plenty of situations where we/I have been put on the spot. Many, many times!

If you travel very far to work these games, I hate to not play because of this because truth be told, I just spent a bunch of money getting here and now we don't play because player x can't get his wedding band off? Tape it!

Secondly, I always check with management, period. Let them know in no uncertain terms what the deal is. If game management wants to play and take on the responsibility, I can either walk or do the game. I will draw the line though with any dangling items in the hair, around the neck, or hanging from the ear.

My point is, if management is paying you and they want to play the game, you have but two choices.

I also liken this to other situations where many would play on. Such as, HS gym has leak in the roof and water is dripping on the floor. Do you play or not? Management says play the game and both coaches agree. Manager will wipe the floor. Team B has traveled 50 miles for the game, so do you play?

Again, home team A has jerseys stolen and can only come up with 2 white jerseys, but some players still have their away jerseys which are red. Visitors are wearing road orange jerseys. So, do you play with 3 mixed jerseys? This was a HS game I did, so in both cases, these were actual situations. Coach A and B both wanted to play and didn't see a problem. My view was simple. Any comment that my player got confused by the color of the jersey will not be addressed. And so we played on in both cases.

On the other hand, I worked for 2 years in a fantastic rec league that was absolutely the best run adult league I have ever seen, or played in. We had a forfeit because the 5th player for team A was wearing the right color shorts but the shorts had pocket in them. You see, you had to have a full uniform and wear it! Management would not budge and so I picked up 35 dollars becasue one guy had shorts with pocket in them. Now this is the exception and not the rule from what I've seen.

Then again, how many of us have started a rec game with 4 players? Management does not want a forfeit, and says play ball. Walk or run? If we start with 4 we break the rules, but? I can't tell you how many rec games I've started with just 4 players!

Lastly, I doubt from the replies here that many have worked deep in the inner city leagues where this stuff is rampant and difficult to control. Basically, the league directors want the games played, and you are at the mercy of what the league wants. Jerseys, no jerseys. Numbers, no numbers. Different colored jerseys on the same team, same color for both teams. I've seen a lot of junk that would not pass under normal circumstances, but if they want the game played, I have but two choices.

How is this that much different than assignors telling you what type of fouls he/she wants called and which ones you should pass on. In other words, you work for them and they tell you how they want the game officiated. Again, you can work or walk. I guess I have chosen to work, and taken my chances. Yes, I have heard of people getting earlobes torn, but have never witnessed it. I've seen teeth knocked out, knees blown out, a compound fracture, broken arms, legs, cuts, ect, but nothing caused by jewelry. I guess I've just been lucky.

Again, even I have limits, but if it can be taped so that it does not dangle, or is visible, in most of these cases, I'm going to play.

goose