Trombone on the toss

[bainsey]

We just wrapped our regional high school tournaments over the weekend. (State's are this coming weekend -- east champ vs. west champ in each class: A, B, C, D.)

One of the Class B schools has an outstanding band, and their boys' team made it to the regional finals (lost, was undefeated until then). For all three games in the tournament, the trombone player would blast an elephant-like sound as the referee's opening toss went up. I have a pretty good idea it went on all season for their home games.

Since the trombone plays after the release of the ball, wouldn't this be illegal?

If so, I still can't imagine any referee or umpire stopping the game for that, or even addressing it during the game. I'm still a bit surprised no-one from the tourney committee said anything.

It's far more of a gnat than an elephant, anyway. Thoughts?