Sweet, thanks.

My initial thought is the patches are a quick verification that you are licensed. I get three patches every year though (and I think I can order more) so it would be very easy to give one to a buddy. Otherwise I'm not sure what purpose they server. Maybe it was a common thing to do years ago and nobody has ever asked the question.

Oklahoma had officials patches required on the left sleeve of game officials shirts in all sports, as well as a "Say no to Drugs" patch on the right sleeve, until 6 or 7 years ago. Now none are required. I believe this was a good decission and the unadorned shirts look "cleaner".
There is a crew option to have an American flag attached to the shirt.

Well, I'll tell you one thing: if you have ever worked across state lines, you would jump for joy over the "no patch" decorum. I don't know how many times I have scurried around trying to find another shirt because something happened, and have to "tack" a patch on for the game. Not to mention, in football at least, a long and short shirt for one side of the river and another long and short for the other. 4 shirts to keep maintained. That's just one set. I like to have two sets of gear in case they don't make it to the washer in time. Just keep doing the math.
But, I will comply with the patch because that is just another rule we must follow. That's the breaks!

Michigan requires new patches every year.
The last few have been the same size circle, but there was a time when rectangles were followed by circles.

Mick

I believe Michigan is going to issue permanent patches starting next year.

Interesting.
I would have thought those were money makers for the MHSAA.
Although they are only a $1 bill per, I generally bought 3 or 4 more than they sent with the registration.
Maybe the costs that folks paid for extras didn't offset the costs for the patches they 'gave' away.

What did you do with your long sleeve shirts, I don't think you'll need them in AZ.:D

My crew works a game across the state line every year where they require patches. We simply don't wear any and nobody has reported us in six years. If they did and we got grief, our schedule would simply be lightened by one game.

I had one long-sleeved shirt (lined) that came in handy back in Illinois. I don't expect to ever need it here, no. Then again, I don't intend to be here forever.

And if anything ever comes up in the off-season (like they had some high school all-star type games between US teams and Mexican teams as part of the Super Bowl run-up), it might come in handy. It can get nippy here in the winter. Or freezing rain like we got today.

I've heard that MI was getting rid of the patches before and it never happened. I sewed black and white velcro stripes to my shirt and just put new velcro on the patch each year. For Baseball I use a magnet and have never had a problem.