Post-game Handshake
 

The post-game handshake that caused a huge commotion at the end of last season in Massachusetts is back.

The MIAA, the high school governing board for athletics in Mass., has sent all officials a "Post-game Handshake Tool-kit" that includes requirements not only to monitor the post game handshake, but to read a 47-word statement at the pre-game meeting with captains. The new rules apply to all team sports in Massachusetts, not just basketball.

The MIAA edict includes new language beyond "hang around and watch the teams shake hands."

Minimum requirement: Presence of Game Officials in close proximity to handshake line.
Enhanced Participation (optional): Presence and participation in handshake with coaches and student-athletes.

This is the language the MIAA is now "requiring" of officials in the pre-game. To be sure we get it right, the MIAA has sent a business-card with these words: (All formating is from the original.)

"Welcome to this Educational Athletic Event. Today's contest is an opportunity for all participants to demonstrate a commitment to good sportsmanship and fair play. Any unsportsmanlike conduct will be penalized. At the conclusion of the game, Players, Coaches and Game Officials will meet for the ceremonial handshake."

Like last season, there is a clause that allows the site manager or the officials to "suspend the handshake if circumstances so warrant."

The MIAA offers this guidance:
"As always, common sense prevails. If a game official or a game site administrator feels that this initiative should not be followed due to concerns which arise during the contest, or with crowd control issues, the handshake protocol may be suspended."

If common sense prevailed, this stupid "ceremony" would not even exist. After my experience in last season's playoffs, I will not be attending any PGHS ceremonies this year.

The part in red is an easy out for all officials. I'm never worried about a player taking a swing at me. It's the fans, who have time to come down out of the stands to confront me face-to-face, who worry me.

This is so dumb it is beyond belief.

Peace

I hope that post-game ceremony doesn't migrate West...

And I Don't Care If The Door Hits Me In The Rear On The Way Out Of the Gym ...
 

Here's what my post game hand "shake" will look like, as they get a good look at by back side as I'm on my way to the dressing room:

http://re3.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/25/f12/546288680

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

For the most part, the handshakes will go fine. However, it seems like officials are getting put on a tee to take a bunch of cheap shots.

What are the local associations saying about it?

BillyMac:

I am with you 100%.

MTD, Sr.

A lot of stupid ideas that start in Massachusetts migrate north. Probably because a lot of Massachusetts residents migrate north. Hopefully, this is not one that follows suit.

The next line in the MIAA guideline is: Immediately upon completion of the PGHS go directly to the parking lot and make sure all spectators go to their cars and leave the premises without incident.
Two coaches and site/game management can't handle the PGHS??? WTF!!!

[quote=BayStateRef;537384] The MIAA offers this guidance:
"As always, common sense prevails. If a game official or a game site administrator feels that this initiative should not be followed due to concerns which arise during the contest, or with crowd control issues, the handshake protocol may be suspended." [/quote]

Good call.

I don't know about you, Mick, but I'm concerned about the crowd after every single game.

Absotively ! Posilutely!

Do tell Scrappy-doo...what happened? Enquiring minds want to know.

At least they've provided you with a "Tool Kit". :rolleyes:

If the "tool kit" included ear plugs or a hand gun, that would be useful. :rolleyes:

Maybe a mute button or a stun gun?

Nice addition. Perhaps the associations there should assemble an amended tool kit, with a few additional tools. ;)

This is what happens when officials are not represented on interscholastic boards. What good can come out of this?

Already tried it on my wife, all it did was get me sent to the couch for the night.

Post-Game Handshake Tool Kit 2.0 now with TASER & Pepper Ball Gun. Billy Packer and Jay Bilas sold separately.

Well, could you hear her from the couch? ;)

Can I Use Both, It's A Big Rivalry ...
 

Which tool kit would you like to use tonight ???

Power Tools ???

http://re3.yt-thm-a01.yimg.com/image/25/m3/2435384923

Hand Tools ???

http://re3.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/25/m1/1870656441

[QUOTE=tjones1;537506]For the most part, the handshakes will go fine. However, it seems like officials are getting put on a tee to take a bunch of cheap shots.
________________________

True statement!:)

I'm sure it's been covered and I've just lost the details amongst all the brouhaha, but...

What exactly are the officials there for? Are they just there to "show the colors" at this little ceremony? Are they supposed to observe coaches and players and penalize any inappropriate behavior? What is the officials' role and responsibilities?

Obviously, the officials are there to foster other persons' children because the administrators, coaches and families cannot, or have not.

Psssssssssst! Hey, Mick. Your cynicism is showing.

How about realism?

I used to be a parent of a girl player and of a boy player. Neither got caught and neither got whacked in neither's three sports.

That stuff is taught before the end of the game. ;)

The MIAA got a "ruling" from the NFHS last year that the officials' jurisdiction in basketball ends when the officials approve the score...not when they leave the visual confines of the gym. Anything that happens after that is penalized under MIAA rules, not NFHS rules (so a technical foul could not be called and it could not change the score). But fighting and other unsporting acts could be reported by the official and the players or coaches would be subject to MIAA sanctions (missing the next game or games).

This is part of a larger agenda that the MIAA has been implementing about the "proper role" of high school sports and the importance of sportsmanship. I am trying to be careful and present the "facts" and leave it to others to discuss them. The MIAA has the seven-page tool kit on its web site that provides the MIAA position in its own words.

This was an uncomfortable "battle" last year that pitted official against official, official against assignor, assisgnor against the MIAA -- and that was when the rule was implemented on a voluntary basis. At state playoff time, it was no longer "voluntary" and the MIAA and the officials had a nasty standoff. Local boards do not meet until October or November -- although excutive board meetings happen monthly. I have not heard any comments from other Mass. officials yet.

That "ruling" was a crock. The NFHS probably did it to allow MA to make it obvious to everyone how bad an idea this is.

Wow. How did I miss that?

Oh, I see...it was the end of Feb. last season. I was embroiled in my own skirmishes back then. Stupid assignors...:D

How unprofessional.... Sheesh!