new this season - Massachusetts is requiring all players (all HS levels) to wear a mouthguard while on the court. It's up to the coaches to make sure they do, but officials are told that "In the event a player intentionally participates without a
mouthguard, the game official will require that the player be replaced at the next dead ball whistle. The removed player may not re-enter until after the clock has started and a substitution opportunity occurs."

Any other states have this requirement?


[Edited by mdray on Oct 3rd, 2003 at 11:29 AM]

Haven't heard anything about this anywhere near me, but a question - is this just basketball or all sports?

Have not heard that.
 

Never heard of this either. The only sport that requires this that I am aware of is football (I am sure hockey might have a similar provision, but I do not do hockey). It sounds like a Massachusetts thing. At least it is not in the new rules.

Peace

In MA, the mouthguard is also required for soccer. Don't know about any other sports.

Here in Florida it is not required but in Hillsborough County, (Tampa area) it ie required for all sports participants at all levels.
If a player doesn't have it in, then they end up burning a substitution (baseball and softball) or like your example in basketball they have to go out and wait for another opportunity to reenter.

In my area, mouthguards are required only for the debate team.

Actually, I think they should be required for all coaches, and held in place with duct tape across the mouth.

You are Crazy!!!
 

Mark, Mark, Mark!!!!!!

Back in the old days...
 

...1964 to be exact, we were required to have mouthguards "on our person". When asked for my mouth guard, I pulled it outa my sock.
Didn't like it much. ...And, I had a face mask (Really!) for that reason. :cool:
(<I>Dumb Rule not dissimilar to the seat-belt law.</I>)
mick

Mark, this is the first I'm hearing about this. Who told you this? I just talked to my HS interpreter on Wednesday and we talked about changes, he didn't mention it. Is this a 100% for sure thing?

Re: Back in the old days...
 

You lost me, mick. You had a face mask? For what reason? And you're talking about coaches being seat-belted, or drivers in cars being seat-belted? :confused: (I've been using that "confused" smiley an awful lot lately. . . :( )

Re: Re: Back in the old days...
 

My fault: REf: Rut and football

<U>Maybe</U> I should apologize for the confusion.

Chuck,
I rec'vd an email message from the MIAA announcing the rule. The details are on their website: http://www.miaa.net

Mark, I just went to the website and I gotta say, I think it's pretty dumb. They're going to require every HS basketball player (V, JV, Fr, boys and girls) to wear a mouthguard on the court? I think that a real over-reaction. Plus, what do we do when teams visit from out of state? We get teams from NH, RI, and CT regularly. They likely won't have mouthguards. And what about our Hall of Fame tourney, where we'll have teams from NY, MD, etc? Are we going to require them to run to the sporting goods store to buy 15 mouthguards? Dumb.

I have just read the rule on the MIAA website, and all I can say is that at least there is no color requirment for the mouth guards.

Chuck:
I agree, this is REAL dumb. I mean, haven't we been playing basketball without mouthguards since Naismith and the peachbaskets (or whatever his name was)? This will be received by HS referees about as seriously as the "helmet and bat check" by HS baseball umpires.