Could you tell me if a plastic hockey mask would be legal or would it need to be padded in some way? A team is trying to protect a players mouth.

I do not know about a hockey mask being legal. I do know they make some kind of clear facemask that would protect the nose and the eye joint area. Like what Detroit Piston's Rip Hamilton wears when he plays. That is the only thing that I would think would be legal.

Peace

In my book it says this:
there are exceptions below but the only thing it says reagarding face stuff is that "Nose masks are allowed even if made by hard material"
So no, hockeymask is not premitted. Not when I ref anyway :p

John, see the explanation in case book play 3.5SitA. They have a good desciption in there on what the FED's feelings are:

"The third criterion provided that equipment used must be appropriate for basketball and not be confusing. In this sense, gloves, <b>football face masks and helmets</b> are <b>not</b> acceptable. A protector for a broken nose, even though it is made of hard material, is permissible if it does not extend so as to endanger others, if it is not sharp and has no cutting edges."

Going by that, I'd say that hockey masks are an absolute no-no. That case book play also says that "In the case of headwear for medical... reasons, the state association may approve upon proper documentation as in 3-5-2Exception1". Iow, tell 'em to get a letter from your state governing body and don't let 'em wear it until you see one.

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on Dec 12th, 2005 at 02:58 PM]

Now, I'm thinking of the "old-style" masks, kinda like the one worn by Jason in "Friday the 13th". I would think this would be acceptable under NFHS because it doesn't protrude. Current hockey masks though are a lot like football helmets with the bars in front, and I can see those not being allowed. That said, it's always a good idea to get the state approval for cya reasons.

I've got to believe that if a coach wants his/her player to be eligible while wearing this protective gear, he/she should contact their State Association and get a ruling on it "in writing". That letter should be carried in the first aid box, or something similar, for the coach to show officials (prior to the start of the game) that it is "authorized" to be worn by that specific individual. This gets rid of all the inconsistencies that could occur in enforcement.

I would think a good orthodontist could come up with mouth protection that would be more acceptable than a hockey mask.

What a subject! I'm not what you might call "good looking". I never thought of wearing a mask while officating but it might help? Hmmmmmmm......what would I wear? I know! The "Phantom of the Opera"......

As I approach the Table...I'd break out into an Andrew Lyold Webber song:

The Music of the Night....."Tweet".

My calls will heighten the Coach's indigestion,
I don't know the Rules, I just use my imagination,
In 5th Grade games, I call every single violation.

My "3 Seconds Call" unfurls in its true splendour,
Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender,
Turn your face away from the garish of the scoreboard,
Turn your face away from the cold, unfeeling light,
And listen to the Music of the Night......"Tweet".

Close you eyes and surrender your Coaches Box,
Leave all thoughts of a victory you knew before,
Close your eyes, let your Airborne Shooter soar,
And he'll get decked on the maple hardwood floor.

Your center, floating, falling, sweet intoxication,
There's a "No Call", you go into hyperventilation.
Let the dream begin, let my darker side give in,
To the harmony which the NFHS alone can write,
The power of the Music of the Night......"Tweet".

Your Assistant Coach just said "I BITE",
Help me make the Music of the Night....."Tweet".

Thanks, I had to wipe the Diet Pepsi off my screen!

I started singing it to the melody, and several people left the office. Wonder why?...

Lunch break was over?

Congratulatiosn JCrow! You just won the prise "officialy an official and poet!" :D how long did it take you to come up with that? *wonders if you could get a choir to sing that and record it* :D:D:D

The question I have is did John Schaefferkoetter's great-grandparent's shorten that last name when they came into this country?

Imagine if it were Schaefferkoetterberger or Schaefferkoetterello?

Imagine reffing the opening game of "The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Rec League"?

Neal Young comes over to argue another call.....

Hey, Hey, My, My
You called traveling and I don't know why?
I thought and I lifted by pivot foot,
And then attempted a try?
Hey, Hey, My, My

Out of the front court,
And into the back,
The Ref's wearing blue socks,
But his slacks are black.

Jurasic Referee is gone,
But he's not forgotten,
He gave me a Flagrant,
That call was rotten.

Hey, Hey, My, My
Number 42 poked me in the eye.
I'm calling my attorney,
And his name is Sy.
Hey, Hey, My, My

Hey, Padgett where are you? We need you to loan some of your meds to this guy!!

JCrow, we write Melodeous Sonnets almost daily on our Fantasy Sports message "smack" boards. Most of them are pretty funny and you'd be a welcome addition to our group.