Illegal? Or just odd?

[MD Longhorn]

Calling a 7th grade game last night under NCAA rules. Believe it or not the guys had a PA announcer working, and as it turns out a very active one.

I don't believe I've ever heard this before, but this guy was obviously a radio announcer wannabe, and was giving play-by-play DURING the play! I found it strange, but couldn't recall a rule against it. The more I thought about it, the more it bugged me. Final straw was when one team ran a reverse. The play ran away from me, and the herd of 7th graders ran that way too. Then just as it starts coming back to me, I hear "It's a REVERSE!"

Now I'm not positive whether anyone on the field actually heard him - but if someone on the defense did, and acted on it, that seems to me against the spirit of the game.

Someone tell me where I can find the rule that would forbid this - it's GOT to be illegal.

[Warrenkicker]

You never know what you'll get out there. There is one location our here where the announcer does play-by-play during the plays for varsity games. No rule against it but I suppose if enough people were to complain about it the state or local association could "convince" them to stop it. I just remember the words "he's under center" before the start of almost each and every play.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by mbcrowder
Calling a 7th grade game last night under NCAA rules. Believe it or not the guys had a PA announcer working, and as it turns out a very active one.

I don't believe I've ever heard this before, but this guy was obviously a radio announcer wannabe, and was giving play-by-play DURING the play! I found it strange, but couldn't recall a rule against it. The more I thought about it, the more it bugged me. Final straw was when one team ran a reverse. The play ran away from me, and the herd of 7th graders ran that way too. Then just as it starts coming back to me, I hear "It's a REVERSE!"

Now I'm not positive whether anyone on the field actually heard him - but if someone on the defense did, and acted on it, that seems to me against the spirit of the game.

Someone tell me where I can find the rule that would forbid this - it's GOT to be illegal.

If needed to quote a rule section 1-5-3b forbids illegal communication and the fact this guy recognizes a reverse from his vantage point and is informing the team would be illegal.

Also Rule 9-9-1 covers unfair acts and having an announcer tell his team what play the other team is running by an announcement over the public address system sounds unfair.

I personally would not quote a rule. Kindly inform this guy with the mike he can announce substitutions, yardage gained, players involved in plays, position of the ball between downs, number of downs and yards to go and that is it. Otherwise, shut off the mike and have a seat.

Gotta love these guys that get their hands on the microphone and think they are Keith Jackson.

[TXMike]

Under NCAA rules, PA announcers are among the many who are "persons subject to the rules". What he is doing is patently unfair, but, as Ed suggests, there may be a way to resolve the problem without getting into the rulebook. If this is in Texas, you should notify your Chapter leadership who should then reach out to the particular school and emphasize how important it is the announcer change his MO.

[BktBallRef]

Had this in a varsity a game a couple of years ago. When he yeeled, "It's a draw!" the opposing coach had a fit! When had the home coach tell him to sitck to announcing between plays, not during them.