While that's true in my area for HS, I know it is now not allowed in NCAA-W.

Obviously, check local listings.

(However, it's still my opinion that it doesn't look professional at any level to do the pocket thing, whether it's a whistle, chapstick, or beef stick.)

Players can't wear striped shirts or a lanyard either, but officials do????

What players are or are not allowed to wear has nothing to do with what officials are or are not allowed to wear.

A beat down is comin' your way, CR. Look out!

+1

I was only told that it was a safety issue, much the same as any piece of jewlery that a player might wear. Yes, I know the lanyard is obviously a direct conflict to that ideal, but it is a part of the official's uniform, so we are allowed (and in some cases required) to wear one.

I've worn my wedding ring on the HS court, and taken it off for the NCAA court. That's why I said to check local listings. Snaqs mentioned the rubber band might be a good idea for some local rec leagues, and I've seen that, along with officials wearing watches. It still doesn't look professional, but it may be allowed in some cases.

I will go back and check, but I think I did not see a single official working the tournament have any rubberband or chapstick device to help keep track of the arrow. I wonder why? ;)

Because they're really discreet?

Yep. That's where I learned to discreetly send you a picture of one finger...

:p :D

+1...as well as wearing anything on a wrist.

It's telling imo, is what it is.

Safety issue? The last time I saw a player scrapping with an official for the ball, that player was on their way out the door. In all seriousness, here should really be no way for a rubber band on an official's wrist to ever be a safety issue. And unless it is a super-rubberband, it's going to break a long time before it hurts someone.

As for the lanyard, it wouldn't be hard to invent a break-away lanyard. In fact, my employer provides them for our ID badges....one tug and its off. Since the NFHS and NCAA don't require such, it can't really be that big of a risk.

As for the professionalism of it...I fully agree, it doesn't look good.

As for the tourney officials not doing it...maybe, just maybe, it is because they have someone doing the books/table that is a wee bit more experienced and reliable.

Hey, I don't disagree that the safety of an official wearing a ring or rubberband is a very remote point. I'm only going by what I've been told. :shrug and smile:

And, it also might be because they've learned a better way to take care of it, and that is to simply remember it, along with the other skills they've acquired to get to that level.

Only Reason Not To Throw Out All My Pea Whistles ...
 

Required mechanic here in my little corner of Connecticut. I thought that it would only last a year, or two, when the alternating possesion first replaced multiple jump balls, to give table crews time to adjust to the new rule, but it's still here.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/...708552c6_m.jpg

That Ain't Lassie Coming To Pull You Out Of The Well ...
 

You also probably get a lot of looks from service dogs.

http://thm-a04.yimg.com/nimage/adf98134ebd27e2c