Game last night, mom was sitting on the bottom bleacher, banging a megaphone on the floor. Partner and I couldn't decide whether or not it was legal. Then mom stopped so we didn't ever take action. But the question remains, is that an artificial noisemaker, or not?

Yes, it is and it's illegal.

Last Friday, I had to ask game management to remove a horn, a megaphone and a pair of thundersticks. Why do they let kids in with these things? :(

megaphone being used as a noisemaker is definitely illegal. Banging it on the floor to make noise could be construed to be artificial noise. Had she continued with it--probably would have asked admin. to have her discontinue.

Reminds me--first school game this year, had a rowdy visiting crowd. Noticed sometime in first Q. a megaphone being used by one of them. Took first opportunity to do something discreetly about it as I was near that teams bench and quickly asked head coach for help on that. He recognized sit. and took care of it. I thought if I could do it quickly and not stir the potential 'hornets nest' that would be better. It seemed to work out fine.

As I think about it now I wonder if making a more demonstrative deal about it by going to admin. and/or stopping action to do so would have made a point to crowd so future incidents might be reduced. That is one other approach or take on this matter. Though I still feel good about how we handled it.

Hmmmmm, I wonder if shoes are intended to be used for STOMPING on the bleachers. You know, it really would be a lot quieter if the fans came in socks.;)

RD

It doesn't matter. It's not allowed in the facility, period.

RD,

thought of that facetious comment too, but and I take it from your message icon you are being so too (facetious).

Which brings us to the descretion and common sense theme so needed in our chosen avocation.

BBR,

Now that it's in--through no fault of rainmaker, you, me or anyother official, what do you do? It's not being used, it's sitting next to someone, though you may have noticed it being used earlier in game (as was described) but is now only sitting passively on the floor.

What about whoopee cushions? Do you really want to check to see if there is an artificial noisemaker involved, or if the noise is naturally produced? :p

You do what I did last Friday night. You quietly point out to a member of game management that it isn't allowed. That can be a teacher, prinicipal, security, any member of school administration, etc.

I don't ask them to remove it. I just point it out in that fashion and they take care of it.

Define "Artificial Noisemaker" please .....

Anything that isn't human that makes noise, including by not limited to:

Megaphones
Horns
Thundersticks
Plastic bottles w/ rocks or pennies in it
Air horns
Sirens
Anything else you can think of that makes noise.

Like kazoos. Last year, ncaa game, nice crowd, security comes to me on court during a TO in the first half.

She: "Hey ref! Can those kids be blowing into those kazoos?"
Me: (What the...kazoo? Who the hell can hear a kazoo in here) "Well....it's only legal during a dead ball."
She: "That's what I thought...(turns to upper rows of bleachers) "HEY!!!!! YOU!!!!! YEAH YOU GUYS!!!!! YOU CAN'T BE BLOWING THOSE KAZOOS IN HERE!!!!!! GIMME THOSE DAMN KAZOOS BEFORE I TOSS YOU OUT OF HERE!!!!!"
Me: shrug

Can a fan blow a Kazoo during a dead ball?

I mean I don't really give a Kazoo...just wondering.

RD

The use of articial noisemakers is prohibited at ALL times. Casebook play 1.18Sit(c).

NCAA (which this was) can use a noisemaker during timeouts or intermission or any time before the game has started.