PA announces player #

[Rich]

Originally posted by WyMike
A similar situation arose last night at our officials meeting... A discussion arose concerning a game where the opposing coach complained the band was playing loudly during their possesions and A was having a difficult time hearing audibles and counts.

R didn't do anything but stayed aware and noticed the band did indeed go quiet during home teams possesion. None of the crews, some with 25 years experience, had never heard of a coach complain in this manner.

Discussion ensued as to whether the NFHS rules addressed this specifically. I piped up, being the new guy and told them about this PA thread which was similar.

A lot of arguing, err, debating was had by all except me. (I'm still to new to be arguing with 25 years of experience!)

Isn't this an officials *overall* call as it lends an advantage to one team over another?

Real sportsmanlike, isn't it?

[SoGARef]

The problem with a band is specifically addressed in Georgia. The GHSA says that bands are not to play during live-ball situations. It further states that this includes the situation in which there is no timeout and the teams are in the huddle. If a team claims that band noise is interfering with communication, the WH shall give a warning to one or both head coaches who will instruct the band(s) to stop playing. If there is a second offense by the same school's band, an USC will be imposed against that team. The WH will always wait for a complaint before issuing a warning.

While the NF does not specifically cover the PA it does have a rule which can be invoked for that purpose. Rule 9.9.1 says a player or nonplayer or person not subject to the rules shall not hinder play by an unfair act which has no specific rule coverage.

[SouthGARef]

In a game here last year there was a close call where the runner was ruled down by the wings and backjudge but the ball came squirting out. The home team (who was on defense) jumped on the ball, but we gave the ball back to the visitors since the ball was dead.

About that time the fans started to give some jeers and out of nowhere the PA guy goes "I don't know what the referees were looking at there folks."

Our White Hat threw a flag high in the air, walked over to the home head coach, talked to him for a bit (both nodded), and gave a sideline warning to them. About that time the home team's offensive coordinator gave the PA guy the headset and the headcoach told him that if he didn't keep his mouth shut the WH said he'd flag them for unsportsmanlike and turn the whole PA off.

I got a good chuckle out of it.

Nebraska and Iowa strictly forbids the PA announcers to do any play-by-play while the ball is live. If we hear the PA announcer doing play-by-play, it's an USC on the home team.

Edit: I missed another one about the band. Same rule applies to the bands. They cannot be playing during live ball, or USC against offending team (usually home team because not very many visiting teams can afford to drag their band along!).

[SoGARef]

The University of Georgia has a radio play-by-play man that is an institution down here, Larry Munson. A great number of play-by-play announcers try to emulate him. That being said, there is one particular PA at a school down here that just thinks he is the next Larry Munson. He will always try to do the play-by-play from the press box. I've gotten to know the guy fairly well over the years and anytime I am assigned a game at that school I make it a point to go and visit with the PA announcer before the game. At that time I remind him that as a PA announcer he is obligated to be neutral and to only deliver pertinent information to the crowd. I remind him that if I hear any Munsonesque comments from him that it will cost the home team. That usually keeps him under control. I've been told by other referees that he tries to do it at every game. He doesn't do it to be contrary, he just gets wrapped up in the game.

[actmiller]

The PA announcer is a part of the officiating crew just like the stat guy (another thread) and the chain crew; therefore, the situation was handled correctly. I had a situation a few years ago where I had the visiting team have a fan to stop blowing his air horn. It sounded like the end of the quarter signal and was creating a confusion. I only allowed the fan to "sound off" after a touchdown. In the band situation, the rule book does not cover this situation; however, two years ago, I had the home team ask me to have the band quit playing during plays and it was the home band making all the noise.

[jack015]

Several years ago in a JV game, there was a spectator sitting on the home team side with a bullhorn who, when the visitors had the ball, was directing the defense verbally with pass, sweep right, etc.

At my request, the home team coach put a stop to that PDQ.

[Bob M.]

Originally posted by actmiller
The PA announcer is a part of the officiating crew just like the stat guy (another thread) and the chain crew; therefore, the situation was handled correctly. I had a situation a few years ago where I had the visiting team have a fan to stop blowing his air horn. It sounded like the end of the quarter signal and was creating a confusion. I only allowed the fan to "sound off" after a touchdown. In the band situation, the rule book does not cover this situation; however, two years ago, I had the home team ask me to have the band quit playing during plays and it was the home band making all the noise.

REPLY: I don't agree tha the PA guy is "...part of the officiating crew." Neither is the stat guy. The PA guy specifically is more accurately a member of the game administration "crew" more closely and directly accountable to the AD than to the Referee. That said, I agree that the R was well within his jurisdiction to "straighten him out."