Sunglasses

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I would think that a referee shouldn't wear anything that is not okay for the players.

Then leave your whistle and watch in your bag!

[drinkeii]

...and wedding ring.

But seriously, I'm looking for an actual rule which allows/prohibits it for officials. My chapter says we shouldn't wear them, but it isn't anything more than them saying it. If they have the support of the rules, I'd feel better. If not, I don't see why wearing something that increases my ability to see the play and make better calls/no-calls should be prohibited by a group of people with less sensitive eyes than me.

Originally Posted by drinkeii

...and wedding ring.

But seriously, I'm looking for an actual rule which allows/prohibits it for officials. My chapter says we shouldn't wear them, but it isn't anything more than them saying it. If they have the support of the rules, I'd feel better. If not, I don't see why wearing something that increases my ability to see the play and make better calls/no-calls should be prohibited by a group of people with less sensitive eyes than me.

It is your career as a ref. Wear them if you think it will help you call a better game. There IS NO RULE THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T.

The State Rules Interpreter in Oregon wrote an article for some publication (I only heard other guys talking about it...I haven't seen it) endorsing the use of sunglasses as opposed to squinting/hat. If my SRI says do, it is ok for me!

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I know of no NFHS prohibition of an official wearing sunglasses. Ophthalmologists (medical doctors whose specializtion is eyes) have stated for years the people should be wearing sunglasses to protect one's eyes from UV rays. When I officiated soccer I wore sunglasses when conditions warranted it. I still wear sunglasses when I umpire baseball and fast pitch softball. I remember one summer during a USSSA girls' fast pitch softball tournament an USSSA umpiring big wig called me over between innings (I was the BU for the game.) and told me to remove my sunglasses; I asked him if he was an ophthalmologist, his answer was no. I told him that when he became an ophthalmologist to come back and talk to me. He got pissed and tried to get me removed from the tournament but it didn't happen.

As far as players wearing sunglasses. Until someone can quote NFHS R4-S4-A1 for me, I would like to refrain from making any comments.

MTD, Sr.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

As far as players wearing sunglasses. Until someone can quote NFHS R4-S4-A1 for me, I would like to refrain from making any comments.

MTD, Sr.

You trickster! There is no section four in rule 4.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

You trickster! There is no section four in rule 4.

Me sorry. I meant to copy 2006-07 NFHS R4-S2-A1. I would have thought that you would have considered the fact that I had incorrectly copied the rule reference and went ahead and quoted R4-S2-A1 for everybody benefit. Thereby avoiding a needless second post by me.

MTD, Sr.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by rei

It is your career as a ref. Wear them if you think it will help you call a better game. There IS NO RULE THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T.

The State Rules Interpreter in Oregon wrote an article for some publication (I only heard other guys talking about it...I haven't seen it) endorsing the use of sunglasses as opposed to squinting/hat. If my SRI says do, it is ok for me!

That is Patrick Duffy. He posts frequently on the NFHS website.

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

That is Patrick Duffy. He posts frequently on the NFHS website.

Yes, thank you. I know Patrick quite well! I just didn't feel the need to drop his name.