Jerseys

One of the problems I seem to have is a player(s) with illegal jerseys. I don’t know if area crews just don’t care or just don't know the rules. I understand we are going to play a game even if the whole team doesn’t have legal game jerseys. One season, our last game of the season we had a whole team with jerseys cut off right at the bottom of the shoulder pads! The coach was telling me we have worn these jerseys all season long. Like I said I know we have to play the game that day but any suggestions of what I should do or what crews should do on week one when something like this is found?

Other problems that I have encountered are players tying jerseys in knots or taping them into knots. Tucking of jerseys under the shoulder pads. Rib and Back pads hanging out of the jersey. On the above, do you talk to the player first or do you just bang them for the penalty? Sometimes I feel I am maybe a little to strict and sometimes to lenient. How do you guys rule on that?

Rule 1 –
ART. 3 . . . Illegal equipment. No player shall participate while wearing illegal equipment. This applies to any equipment, which in the opinion of the umpire is dangerous, confusing or inappropriate. Illegal equipment shall always include but is not limited to:

g. Rib pads and back protectors unless fully covered by a jersey.

j. Tear-away jerseys or jerseys that have been altered in any manner which produces a knot-like protrusion or creates a tear-away jersey.

PENALTY: Unsportsmanlike conduct (Arts. 2, 3, 5) – (S27) - 15 yards.

Casebook
JERSEY
1.5.1 SITUATION A: Team A's players are wearing jerseys: (a) just covering the shoulder pads, and their midriffs are exposed; or (b) that extend below the top of their pants, but some players have them tucked in, while others have them outside their pants; or (c) that are waist length, but have tucked them up under the bottom of their shoulder pads.

RULING: The jerseys in (a) and (c) are not legal. In (b), the jerseys of all players will have to be tucked inside the pants upon discovery. (1-5-1)


[Edited by tpaul on Aug 12th, 2005 at 01:40 PM]