Illegal Uniforms ???

[BillyMac]

The referee carelessly fails to note that A16 (an illegal number, and thus, an illegal uniform) is listed in the scorebook when he checks the scorebook twelve minutes before the scheduled start of the game. A16 is wearing a jacket during the pregame warmups so the illegal number is missed by the umpire observing the pregame warmup. A16 starts the game. One minute into the game, substitute A5 reports to the table, is legally beckoned, and legally replaces A16, who now becomes a nonparticipating team member on the bench. Head coach of Team B now politely points out that A16, who is now on the bench, was wearing an illegal uniform, due to an illegal number, while participating a few moments ago. The official, citing NFHS 10-5-4: "The head coach shall not permit a team member to participate while wearing an illegal uniform ... Penalized when discovered.", now charges head coach of Team A with a direct technical foul, which counts toward the team foul total for the purpose of the bonus. The head coach of Team A will lose the coaching box privilege for the remainder of the game. Team B receives two free throws for the technical foul and receives the ball for a throwin at the division line opposite the table. A16, and any other Team A players with illegal uniforms are allowed to play with no further penalty.

Correct interpretation? Does the fact the the ball is live, or dead, when the inquiry is made by head coach of Team B have any impact on this interpretation?

[BillyMac]

The referee carelessly fails to note that A16 (an illegal number, and thus, an illegal uniform) is listed in the scorebook when he checks the scorebook twelve minutes before the scheduled start of the game. A16 is wearing a jacket during the pregame warmups so the illegal number is missed by the umpire observing the pregame warmup. A16 starts the game. One minute into the game, substitute A5 reports to the table, is legally beckoned, and legally replaces A16, who now becomes a nonparticipating team member on the bench. A16 does not participate as one of the five players on the court for the rest of the game. Score at the buzzer that ends the fourth period: Team A 60, Team B 59. Before leaving the visual confines of the court at the end of the fourth period, the head coach of Team B politely points out to the officials that team member A16 participated with an illegal uniform, due to an illegal number. The officials, citing NFHS 10-5-4: "The head coach shall not permit a team member to participate while wearing an illegal uniform ... Penalized when discovered.", now charges head coach of Team A with a direct technical foul, which counts toward the team foul total for the purpose of the bonus. The head coach of Team A will lose the coaching box privilege for the remainder of the game. Team B receives two free throws for the technical foul. Two successful free throws will end the game with a victory for Team B. No successful free throws will end the game with a victory for Team A. If only one free throw throw is successful, then the game will go into overtime. A16, and any other Team A players with illegal uniforms are allowed to play in the overtime with no further penalty.

Correct interpretation?

[BktBallRef]

I've got a headache.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I've got a headache.

it's called "paralysis through analysis".

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

It's called "paralysis through analysis".

OK, so you're not pleased that I broke it down into a few different situations, each with a slight variation. I can understand that. But the bottom line is:

Are my interpretations correct?

Can a general statement be made regarding NFHS 10-5-4 that the infraction can be penalized at any time, up until the officials leave the confines of the gym, if the player with the illegal uniform (illegal number) actually participated in the game as one of the five players, even if there was a time lag between said player participating and the discovery of the infraction?

[sseltser]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

OK, so you're not pleased that I broke it down into a few different situations, each with a slight variation. I can understand that. But the bottom line is:

Are my interpretations correct?

Can a general statement be made regarding NFHS 10-5-4 that the infraction can be penalized at any time, up until the officials leave the confines of the gym, if the player with the illegal uniform (illegal number) actually participated in the game as one of the five players, even if there was a time lag between said player participating and the discovery of the infraction?

For simplifying purposes:

Play 1: The officials notice A16 wearing an illegal uniform while he is on the court.

Play 2: A16 never participates, but his name and number are in the book.

Play 3: The officials notice A16 wearing an illegal uniform just after he leaves the game for a substitute.

Play 4: The officials notice A16 wearing an illegal uniform long after he leaves the game, even after the final horn has sounded.


Assuming that I have those situations correct, these are my interpretations:

Play 1 - T.
Play 2 - No T.
Play 3 and Play 4 are logically equivalent. I would be inclined to rule both as T's.

The relevant question: Is there a "statute of limitations" on when an illegal uniform T can be issued?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by sseltser

Play 1: The officials notice A16 wearing an illegal uniform while he is on the court.
Play 2: A16 never participates, but his name and number are in the book.
Play 3: The officials notice A16 wearing an illegal uniform just after he leaves the game for a substitute.
Play 4: The officials notice A16 wearing an illegal uniform long after he leaves the game, even after the final horn has sounded.
Assuming that I have those situations correct, these are my interpretations:
Play 1 - T.
Play 2 - No T.
Play 3 and Play 4 are logically equivalent. I would be inclined to rule both as T's.

I concur. Any other interpretations out there in Official Forum Land?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by sseltser

The relevant question: Is there a "statute of limitations" on when an illegal uniform T can be issued?

I don't think so, but I'm willing to hear other viewpoints.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by sseltser

For simplifying purposes:

Play 1: The officials notice A16 wearing an illegal uniform while he is on the court.

Play 2: A16 never participates, but his name and number are in the book.

Play 3: The officials notice A16 wearing an illegal uniform just after he leaves the game for a substitute.

Play 4: The officials notice A16 wearing an illegal uniform long after he leaves the game, even after the final horn has sounded.


Assuming that I have those situations correct, these are my interpretations:

Play 1 - T.
Play 2 - No T.
Play 3 and Play 4 are logically equivalent. I would be inclined to rule both as T's.

The relevant question: Is there a "statute of limitations" on when an illegal uniform T can be issued?

Agreed with 1 and 2.

3 and 4 are the same as "player with the wrong number in the book who doesn't score or foul" questions we've gone on and on (and on) about over the years. No specific guidance, as far as I recall (but it's still summer and my mind is a million miles from basketball).

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Are my interpretations correct?

It appears to me that the key word in 10-5-4 is "participate." I take that to mean a player, and not bench personnel.