2023-2024 Rules Changes Announced.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... a team had a player wearing black pants when the rest of the team was white. And that player had black shorts with white trim. So was he not using "like colors" as the current situation?

Great question, and hard to answer without a NFHS definition of "like color".

Easier to answer if that player's black shorts didn't have any white trim?

Without a NFHS interpretation, I'm not betting anything more than five dollars on my answer.

What is the purpose and intent of this new rule?

Is it to allow officials to easily identify players on each team during fast paced action?

Or is to protect the integrity of high school basketball games, to prevent high school games from devolving into something like the "Wild West" or "circus" atmosphere often seen at weekly fourth grade recreation league practices in local elementary school gyms?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Great question, and hard to answer without a NFHS definition of "like color".

Easier to answer if that player's black shorts didn't have any white trim?

Without a NFHS interpretation, I'm not betting anything more than five dollars on my answer.

Unless the NF comes out with multiple examples like they did with the hair adornments, I am going to do what we did before.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Unless the NF comes out with multiple examples like they did with the hair adornments ...

The NFHS certainly can't allow the new shorts rule language to "stand alone" as it now exists.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

The NFHS certainly can't allow the new shorts rule language to "stand alone" as it now exists.

They could. Maybe they are giving cover to those that want to make this an issue? Who knows. I think the NF has often done things that clearly are not with the thought process of everyone and situation. So why would this be any different?

Peace

[Raymond]

I already know, without having the discussion, my commissioner will not care what color shorts are being worn.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Raymond

I already know, without having the discussion, my commissioner will not care what color shorts are being worn.

The NFHS, our state association (CIAC), IAABO (co-interpreters), our IAABO State Board (interpreter), and our IAABO local board (interpreter and assignment commissioner), seldom, if ever, differ on any rules, or rule interpretations.

We're consistently almost always all on the same page.

We may not be sheep, but we're certainly not rebels.

This may be a big exception.

I seriously doubt that this rule will be enforced the same way from the national level down to my local high schools, as well as between our high school levels (varsity, junior varsity, freshman), and I can almost guarantee that this rule will not be expected to be enforced by my local interpreter and local assignment commissioner in my local middle school games (where we already allow illegal numbers).

[JRutledge]

Sounds like too many hands in the pot. We have basically one voice which is refreshing.

Peace