the NFHS as an organization only concerned with "important issues",
A different view. Prior to purchasing a helmet, I talked to our States top administrator, also a member of the NFHS SB Committee. I knew that to advance in the State tournament that I would be evaluated, possibly by him. He assured me that he had no problem with the lack of a hat during State tournament games.
If you are calling ASA, you will need to wear your hat.
Last summer I received an invite to the state ASA JO tournament. I emailed the state UIC about the helmet/hat issue. Not an issue was the reply. I worked the tournament and received excellent evaluations without a mention of the hat issue.
Old traditions die hard in large organizations, but die they do when driven by the members of the groups. Umpires are slowly moving to the helmet and eventually the organizations will follow.
A side note:
Tom, you continue to bash the NFHS with that old issue, but the truth is that it was your State Association that made that decision. Actually the NFHS has continuously evolved with respect to womens clothing. Thirty-five years ago when HS girls still wore pin stripe pants with stirrups, long sleeve shirts and hats, their uniform rules were minimal. But teenage girls are extremely independent about their clothing. (Putting it mildly this week I had a girl sit out a
VB match rather than remove decorative beads from her hair!) The NFHS had to react to shorts and no hats and exposed undergarments when exterior clothing got smaller. They fought the girls on rolled up sleeves and shirts rolled over the waist and gave in. Todays rules are lengthy, but basically they are allowing the girls to wear just about whatever they want.
(Note that boys still wear pin stripe pants with stirrups, long sleeve shirts and hats, and their uniform rules are still minimal.)
WMB