[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by deecee

I hate the @#$@$# fashion police crap.

Although I wouldn't quite use the same colorful language as you, I do partly agree with you. I hate these issues, but, at the same time, I don't ignore them.

Last night, I had a the consolation game of a girls high school holiday tournament. I didn't notice it during warmups, because the girls had their warmup jerseys on, but at sometime during the first period I spotted a player wearing a white undershirt (the opponents had white jerseys, some with white undershirts) under a red jersey. I waited for a stopped clock, dead ball, ball not about to become live, situation, and instructed the girl to remove herself to the bench, and instructed the head coach to replace her with a properly equipped substitute. The coach responded that she thought that the undershirt could match any color in the uniform (white border around the number) and that the girl had been allowed to play the previous evening in the first round of the tournament by the officials at the site. I responded, not tonight, and she reluctantly sent in a substitute.

At halftime, two of the four officials at the site, including my partner, thought that I should let the girl play with the white undershirt. She was a little on the chunky side, and had a jersey that was a little tight fitting. One official explained that we shouldn't sweat the small stuff, and that participation by the student athlete was the more important than any such "fashion" rules.

This is a varsity high school varsity player, maybe a junior, or a senior, with a qualified, and certified, high school varsity coach, at a point a few weeks into the new season, with six games under their belts. Should I believe that this player, at same point in her freshman, junior varsity, middle school, travel team, or recreation team, career, never discovered that she should be wearing a red undershirt under a red jersey?

Yes, some of the "fashion" issues may be hard to figure out (sleeve/knee pad). But others are as easy as ABC, jewelry, undershirts, headbands, wristbands, ponytail holders, etc.

Who do we blame for these "fashion" problems? The NFHS? Yes. State interscholastic governing bodies? Yes. The coaches? Yes. The players? Yes. But let's not forget the officials, those officials who purposely ignore the rules because they don't believe that these should be rules to begin with because these rules have nothing to do with "real basketball".

If all parties got together, and clearly stated what rules would be enforced, and that these rules would be consistently enforced, then we would have a much easier time. What makes these rules (below) more difficult to understand than any other rules in the book?

Players may not participate while wearing jewelry. Religious medals or medical alert medals are not considered jewelry. A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical alert medal must be taped and may be visible.

Headbands and wristbands must be white, black, beige, or a single solid school color. When wearing headbands and/or wristbands, all team players must wear the same color, i.e., the headband color must match the wristband color, the same color for the entire team. Only a single item may be worn on the head and/or on each wrist. Sweatbands must be worn below the elbow. Rubber, cloth, or elastic bands, of any color, may be used to control hair. Undershirts must be similar in color to the jersey and shall not have frayed or ragged edges. Arm compression sleeves, and leg compression sleeves, must be worn for medical purposes and must be white, black, beige, or a single solid school color. When wearing arm compression sleeves, and/or leg compression sleeves, all team players must wear the same color, i.e., the arm compression sleeve color must match the leg compression sleeve color, the same color for the entire team.

Our Catholic middle school assigner wants all "fashion" rules enforced, at all levels, by all officials, and he has threatened to withhold our pay it we don't enforce all of these rules. He makes this clear to all athletic directors, coaches, and officials, at the start of every season. During the first week of play we have to remind a few players, and coaches, about the rules. But after a week, or two, we've got every one on board. No "fashion" problems. Period.

If a bunch of rinky dink "tween" age players, with volunteer coaches, can get these rules right, why can't these rules be followed in high school programs?