Cheerleaders...

[Jerry Baldwin]

We treat this problem lightly but it is getting worse each year. I only work three person so cheerleaders can be in the way on baseline or side line. Many new gyms have more room on the baseline but some of the older ones barely have enough room for the lead official to move. I have used the following method farily sucessfully: I go to the girls and ask who is the captain, there is usually one or two. I explain that my job is to referee the players and we officials cannot be looking out for cheerleaders. I ask them if they will help me by moving out of the way when the ball and officials are coming toward them. They nod in agreement, then I add that if they are in the way they will have to cheer from the stands. After the horror of that thought subsides, they agree to watch out for us. It has worked very well with SV cheerleaders, but not with JRHS cheerleaders, they don't even know what gym they are in. I have had to explain to the cheerlearder sponser what I have told the girls and I usually add that I am very concerned about their safety and would hate for one of the girls to get hurt. This usually drives home the point and I get good cooperation. I have had cheerleaders come up after a game an apologize for being in the way, but I did not even remember them being in the way, but I thanked them for working to help us.
Jerry