2023-2024 Rules Changes Announced.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Really, in the past you wouldn't allow players on a team to play with two different color shorts? Citation please?

3-4-1: Team jersey color and design must adhere to the following:
a. The torso of the team jersey must be the same single solid color for all team members.
c. The torso color must be white for the home team and a contrasting dark color for the visiting team.

Jeff was specifically commenting about shorts, why are you posting references about jerseys?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Jeff was specifically commenting about shorts, why are you posting references about jerseys?

Because he seemed to be confusing the new shorts rule with the old and existing jersey rule (that only cites jerseys).

In the past some officials new to our local area, questioned seeing different color (junior varsity and varsity) shorts and in varsity games, something that they might not have been exposed to in their previous local area (it is rare in a high school games), and had to be told that (at the time) there were no NFHS color restrictions on shorts.

Since my post I have discovered that JRutledge is actually questioning the language of the new shorts rule, wondering if "like color" means the same (or similar) color, a valid question that we'll both have to wait to get answered until the NFHS publishes the actual rule language and interpretations.

I'm leaning toward "like color" meaning the same (or similar) color, but with my history of mind reading the NFHS, I'm not betting my house on it.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Because he seemed to be confusing the new shorts rule with the old and existing jersey rule (that only cites jerseys).

In the past some officials new to our local area, questioned seeing different color (junior varsity and varsity) shorts and in varsity games, something that they might not have been exposed to in their previous local area, and had to be told that (at the time) there were no NFHS color restrictions on shorts.

Since my post I have discovered that JRutledge is actually questioning the language of the new shorts rule, wondering if "like color" means the same (or similar) color, a valid question that we'll both have to wait to get answered until the NFHS publishes the actual rule language and interpretations.

I'm leaning toward "like color" meaning the same (or similar) color, but with my history of mind reading the NFHS, I'm not betting my house on it.

I was not confused by anything. My take was specifically that the rule basically was not a change, it was simply a clarification and not even explained what "similar color" means. It did not say they had to share the same color. It would be like a player that was on the sophomore or JV team playing with the varsity and they had a white jersey but the stripe is different. We already allowed that. Or if there is white on much of the shorts, but not totally white but the other teammates are wearing all white. So are we not allowing that to take place? Again, pretty much what the rule was before IMO unless they say it is more restrictive (which interpretation).

I know you do not get this fact, but many people know rules just as good as you if not better. Or been in situations that you might not have experienced. I literally work HS basketball in two states. And one of those states the NF Headquarters is located. IJS.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

It did not say they had to share the same color.

Agree, it didn't say that (same), nor did it say similar color.

It said "like color" and we'll both have to wait until the NFHS publishes the actual rule language and interpretation to find out what "like color" means.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

It would be like a player that was on the sophomore or JV team playing with the varsity and they had a white jersey but the stripe is different. We already allowed that.

Agree that we already did allow that (if it's not illegal, it's legal). Now it's codified as "allowing different styles".

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Agree, it didn't say that, nor did it say same color, nor did it say similar color. It said "like color" and we'll both have to wait until the NFHS publishes the actual rule language and interpretation to find out what "like color" means.

I am not waiting on anything. This is really a non-issue. Hardly ever see something different that this would even be considered. And at the lower levels in Illinois, we were told to not enforce uniform rules for specific violations of the rule like logos or size of side panels. They want them to play and look in a similar color.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Agree that we already did allow that (if it's not illegal, it's legal). Now it's codified as "allowing different styles".

Yes, and basically what we were doing before. I think this was put in because there were officials that would go nuts over a player that came from the other levels and did not perfectly match the pants of the other team. That is something I had to talk some officials off the ledge.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... in Illinois, we were told to not enforce uniform rules for specific violations of the rule like logos or size of side panels. They want them to play and look in a similar color.

Hopefully the (Connecticut) CIAC will do the same regarding this new shorts rule.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Yeah, I get it, rules that restrict equipment colors benefit officials by allowing them to easily identify players on each team during fast paced action. But we have several teams in our local area where junior varsity shorts are different colors than varsity shorts (a kind of rite of passage). Coaches will often reward junior varsity players by inviting some of them (with their "wrong" color shorts) to sit on the varsity bench. Pretty sure that our CIAC will have to make some exceptions until everybody goes through a new uniform cycle (or maybe beyond).

Bottom line for me, I will do what my local interpreter, and assignment commissioner, want me to do.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

If Raymond sees pregame layup lines in his next high school varsity game with eight players on one team with all red shorts and four players on the same team with all white shorts what will he do?

Maybe what I would do?

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Bottom line for me, I will do what my local interpreter, and assignment commissioner, want me to do.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I think this was put in because there were officials that would go nuts over a player that came from the other levels and did not perfectly match the pants of the other team. That is something I had to talk some officials off the ledge.

Our local interpreters had to do the same exact thing, one at least two different occasions.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Because he seemed to be confusing the new shorts rule with the old and existing jersey rule (that only cites jerseys).
...

I wasn't confused. He clearly was talking about "shorts". He doesn't work games in Connecticutt, so he wasn't one of those officials you reference. I knew exactly what he was talking about. You probably confused some newcomers by conflating rules.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Raymond

I wasn't confused.

Regarding the new "shorts rule", while I wouldn't call myself confused, I do have questions and maybe Raymond can express an expert opinion on such.

What does "like color" mean?

Same color, similar color (like the undershirt rule), or something entirely different?

If Raymond sees pregame layup lines in his next high school varsity game with eight players on one team with all red shorts and four players on the same team with all white shorts what will he do?

I thought that I was sure what I'd do, but JRutledge, a great rules guy worth listening to, and not one to be ignored, has me questioning myself and looking forward to waiting until the NFHS publishes the actual rule language and interpretation to find out what "like color" means.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Jeff was specifically commenting about shorts, why are you posting references about jerseys?

He's pointing out that the restrictions before only applied to the jersey with no mention of the shorts. Previously, there were no restrictions on the colors for the shorts. You could have had a full rainbow of colors on a team.