Originally Posted by Clark Kent (Post 639152)

K, so if I do that do I run the risk of being the "tattle-tell" and possibly get my partners in trouble for not having enforced it. I don't want to be know for having thrown my partners under the bus to the association and lose trust.

Originally Posted by fullor30 (Post 639149)

Bob, are uniforms in baseball along the same guidelines?

Originally Posted by Clark Kent (Post 639130)

Varsity Boys Game. I'm an up-and-coming official who after a few years of hard work, camps, watching film, attending games and listening to everyone's advice have made it on the varsity list. Both my partners are experienced guys. I've learned to keep my mouth shut when needed and to just do my job.

We start the game with the toss and on the first dead ball after the toss I realize the home team is in black and the away team is sporting the white. (I know it is something that should have been caught in the warm-ups but I missed it. In the post below by IndianaRef they caught it in the JV game, but our game didn't have a JV game prior http://forum.officiating.com/basketb...wear-dark.html). I know the rule 3-4-1c and the penalty 10-5-4.

So here is my question? What do I do?

A. Do I do what by rule I should do. Double T sit both coaches and move on with the game, possibly ruffling a few feathers of my partners, but doing what the rule book says.

B. Do I go talk to the R inform him of the situation and pass the buck onto him and willing to live with the decision he makes.

C. Or Do I just ignore it all together. No Big Deal. Both teams are happy. Move on with life and the game?

Originally Posted by stripes (Post 639179)

IMO, the mutual agreement of the coaches makes this no big deal. If I were the R, I would probably go with C.

Originally Posted by BayStateRef (Post 639190)

Had a discussion at an association meeting a few years back where coaches "agreed" to some deviation of a rule that was seen as "no big deal." We were told bluntly that the coaches do not get to make that decision. What if they agreed to six fouls per player? Or a goal scored from beyond the arc was worth two points, not three?

The officials are required to know and to enforce all the rules. This advice was from a veteran official who is active in the state high school athletic association.

Originally Posted by stripes (Post 639179)

What is the advantage of going with A?

Originally Posted by Clark Kent (Post 639150)

It was agreed upon by both. I asked one of the coaches and he said that the home team wanted to have a "black out" game so the visiting team agreed to wear whites.

Originally Posted by fullor30 (Post 639246)

Then why are we even having this discussion? Game on, they both agreed earlier.

Originally Posted by Nevadaref (Post 639254)

Because it is possible that they didn't bother to clear it with the state association or league office.
If I were one of the Us, then I would inform the R and let him deal with it.
If I were the R, then I would ask the home school if they received documentation or permission from the state office for their "black-out" game.

As officials we don't write the rules, we simply enforce them and we don't have the authority to grant exceptions or set them aside.

Originally Posted by BayStateRef (Post 639264)

A buddy of mine likes to tell this story. During pre-game warm-ups, he sees that one team has undershirts that do not match their game jerseys. He goes to the coach of the other team and asks if he is OK with this. The coach says, "So are we going to enforce some of the rules tonight, or all of them?"

Originally Posted by fullor30 (Post 639263)

We've been down this road before. Take me to the woodshed. Game on, and I'm not reporting it. I can't even fathom any assignor in the Chicago area that would disagree with me.

I understand your reasoning, it just doesn't apply in this situation IMHO. I may point out to home school, as you mentioned, but would never ask for documentation. Seriously, I'd be laughed out the Chicagoland area.

Why do I picture some Nazi border agent saying " Papers Pleez"

Originally Posted by Nevadaref (Post 639294)

Out here, if you want to work come tournament time, then you had better do things by the book.

Originally Posted by BayStateRef (Post 639264)

The NFHS has made a push that officials are to enforce the rules. And every month or so, there is some thread where officials here make the case why they will not enforce thus and such a rule. If "home team wears white" is an option that can be decided between the coaches, then let the rule say so. Otherwise, I enforce the rules.

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle (Post 639153)

I believe you're from the same state I am. When the switch to white became mandatory, the state made quite a big deal about it. I'm pretty sure they'd back you for the T

Originally Posted by grunewar (Post 639299)

This has been drilled into our heads here in VA over and over and I am enforcing the rule. I'm not screwing my buds by having the, "Well the refs last game let us do it" card played.