USA/NCAA/NFHS differences chart

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

Hard to believe there can't be consensus on this:

Numbers

USA: Uniform numbers; Players may not wear the same number, whether in the game or not. Numbers 0 and 00 are not considered to be the same number. 3.6D

NCAA: Players on the same team shall not wear the same number. 0 and 00 are considered the same number. 3.10.4

NFHS: No players on the same team may wear identical numbers, (0 and 00) are considered the same number. 3.2.2

I know a common sense argument wouldn't consider 1 and 11 to be the same number, but an extension of the logic might.

And while I'm at it, why can't the car manufacturers agree to have the gas filler pipe consistently on the same side for all vehicles??

Let's consider both the purpose of the rule, and the logic applied by each set.

Clearly, the purpose of uniform numbering is to have an absolute means of identifying and differentiating between players on the same team by opponents and scorekeepers; thus, no duplications. The rule related to fractions or decimals is to maintain some form of decorum.

The USA/ASA logic is that 0 and 00 are visually different for the purpose of identification.

The NCAA logic is that, despite being different in appearance, they have the same numerical value. Seriously?? Years ago, that was the ASA rule, but it was changed (by a stodgy group that hardly wants to change anything when "tradition" is a factor) when the logic (or lack of) was explained.

NFHS, like NCAA, started from the ASA rulebook, and has apparently never considered it necessary to address a change.

We are all entitled to a personal preference, but I just can't accept that the logical should shift to the illogical camp just for the sake of "consistency".