Artificial Noisemakers
 

Last night I had small high school varsity. You know the gym, no space between the sideline and the bleachers, and a stage at one end. In this gym the students sat on risers on the stage. Several of the students were using megaphones while the visitors were shooting free throws at that end. I had game management tell the students to quit using the megaphones. Between quarters my partner came to me and said he thought that megaphones were not considered artificial noisemakers. After the game we both checked the rule book. In the 2008-09 rule book we could find no reference to artificial noisemakers and in the 2007-08 rule book, rule 2.1.18 only references artificial noise makers with no definition. The case book mentions the band playing and the PA system making broken glass sounds only. Are megaphones considered artificail noisemakers AND has that rule been omitted from the 2008-09 rule book or have I just overlooked it?

I dont think its changed but there were more case plays the year it was adopted. Megaphones are legal for cheerleaders unless they are banged on the floor (the megaphones, not the cheerleaders)

I would say that you were correct in telling game management to instruct the students to quit using the megaphones. If you look at 10.1.3 Situation A, it specifically says the coach can not use a megaphone. If the coach is forbidden to use it, I would say the students could not either. However, the coach or students could use a rolled up program. I could be wrong, maybe somebody has some old case plays.

Thanks. I just spit coffee on my computer.

I'm an idiot! the rule is 1.18 and it is still in the rule book. There is no definition for noisemakers however. CG, I would like to know where you found the reference to the acceptable use of megaphones by cheerleaders.

I wouldn't consider a megaphone a "noisemaker". It just directs the sound waves that are already there to make it "seem" louder.

I relate artificial noise "makers" as those annoying objects ...like cowbells, air horns and 2 liter bottles 1/4 full of bb's

The first two I was expecting. What else is on your list?

I don't know where s/he found the reference, but one is in 2001-02 interps:
SITUATION 6: The school-sponsored cheerleaders wish to use megaphones as part of their cheerleading routines from the sidelines. RULING: The new rule prohibiting artificial noisemakers would not apply to the cheerleaders in this situation. The megaphones would only be legal for the cheerleader’s use, provided they were being used appropriately. (1-18)

My guess is that the rule book / case book comments from that year might have more information.

How about those inflatable "Thundersticks"?

What if she's over 18? :rolleyes:

Mbyron - if you go to the bottom of the page in this thread under "similar threads" you will see links to previous further discussions on thunder sticks, kicking the bleachers, cell phone ring tones, etc., etc..... and of course the OT discussion of "what exactly is artificial noise". ;)

Expected. I'm looking for more items in the "unexpected" category. ;)

Extra-loud farts?

Things I've seen, er, heard over the years:

Pop cans 1/4 full of bb's, pennies, deer feed, etc.
Kazoo's
plastic clappers/ spoons, etc.

And when I was in HS, we once played at a gym with bleachers on the ends behind the backboard. During FT's the student section would whip out those New Years party favor thingys. You know, them kazoo sounding things but the paper rolls out a foot or so and the returns. I thought it was hilarious to see a hundred of those things at once.

1-18 says artificial.......
;)