Artificial noisemakers have got absolutely nothing to do with advantage/disadvantage. If teams and game management don't complain about their players dunking the ball during the pre-game, are you gonna allow that too?

The FED doesn't want artificial noisemakers in their game. It's up to us to enforce the rule; it's not our job to judge whether the rule is a problem or not. Iow, it's a a no-brainer.

Redhouse and JR-

You both make good points. In light of that, I stand corrected. I would have to get the kids to stop. I guess part of it is that I don't really like the rule. Especially when what comes out of students and parents mouths is sometimes far worse than any other noise. Then again, we don't get to enforce only the rules that we like.

You can become sarcastic and defensive if you like but Redhouse is absolutley correct. At the next game, the opponent isn't happy with all the noise and the officials are put in the position of addressing something that "was okay the last time we played."

Didn't I agree with Redhouse?

wl

Depends on the size of the bull.:D

A coach friend of mine was telling me a great story about the cowbells (which he also hates).

On hearing the cowbell, he grabs the nearest official (during a dead ball) and says, "that's an artificial noisemaker, just like it says in the rules." The official was ready to brush him off and let it go, and the coach persisted, "it's an artificial noisemaker and I want it out of here. Now you go up there and, unless they have the whole f**cking cow up there, I don't want to hear that thing any more!"

c'mon, man, we've had this discussion before. Cow bells aren't artificial noisemakers, they're leading edge musical instruments. Just ask Blue Oyster Cult!

I need more cow bell, I have a fever and the only cure is more cow bell!

Anyone notice the "irony" of 'Thunderstix' & other 'Noisemakers' being promoted by the Ads by Google listings above the member threads?

http://www.imprintitems.com/cheerleading.htm

hmmm :confused:

wl

Joe, Thanks, I needed that. ROTFLMAO

Sure, sure. Now I'll see this crap next season and they'll tell me that you didn't have a problem with it.

I have one team left from the four games I officiated. Catholic Central -- the other three winners lost in their next game.

I hate the offseason, although my feet have finally stopped hurting.

Rich....

Sorry I opened the door on enforcement...however, I think interpretation as to where responsibility lies can be reviewed. Game managers could have dealt with this situation prior to me and my partner taking jurisdiction of the game. I quote from the WIAA Handbook....

Noisemakers:
Air horns, whistles and devices that simulate gunfire are not allowed. (cannons, cap pistols, etc.)

Appropriate noisemakers are allowed at regular season and tournament competition; "provided that they are not used during playing action".

Tournament managers and/or contest managers may restrict use of noisemakers if, "in their judgment", they are disrupting coach/athlete communication or if the devices are excessively loud.

My feeling was that our decision not to make an issue of the trays....{again, trays were already in the student section prior to our coming on court}.... we didn't feel it necessary to create a bigger problem that enforcement may have contributed at the time. JMHO :)

I still have a team in the hunt for the coveted "gold ball". Randolph on the boys side. I thought Portage would have had a great chance, but apparently St. John's NW Academy was "underated". I was thrilled with the my tournament experiences! I trust you were as well! Good job!

Now kick-up your feet and rest up for your baseball season!

See ya around the base pads....heck, maybe we'll meet at the SWOA golf outing if that works out!

later....

wl :cool:

Sorry I opened the door on enforcement...however, I think interpretation as to where responsibility lies can be reviewed. Game managers could have dealt with this situation prior to me and my partner taking jurisdiction of the game.

My feeling was that our decision not to make an issue of the trays....{again, trays were already in the student section prior to our coming on court}.... we didn't feel it necessary to <font color = red>create a bigger problem that enforcement may have contributed at the time</font>. JMHO

[/B][/QUOTE]Responsibility lies with the officials to enforce the rule as written. If game managers hadn't taken care of those artificial noisemakers before your jurisdiction, then it's your job to take care of them. No different than pre-game dunking, jewelry, players with casts, untucked shirts, etc., etc., etc......

What "bigger problem" are you talking about creating? Just get game management to get rid of the trays. It's no big deal. The only problem that you're "creating" is for the next set of officials that gets that team, and has to tell them that it's against the rules to use those trays. All those guys are gonna hear is "The officials in the last game said it was OK".