"medical" ear stud

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Little Jimmy

So what do you think, if indeed a player had a doctors note for an ear stud, is it a go? One might say that this is far fetched, but the world's a funny place...

As above, "But they can't play while receiving this "treatment." (At least in NFHS; for USA, I'd probably just shrug"

[Mountaincoach]

Originally Posted by Little Jimmy

So what do you think, if indeed a player had a doctors note for an ear stud, is it a go? One might say that this is far fetched, but the world's a funny place...

Originally Posted by CecilOne

As above, "But they can't play while receiving this "treatment." (At least in NFHS; for USA, I'd probably just shrug"

Cecil is right. The rule trumps the doctor's note in this case IMO (and I probably should have said that in my first response). If they get some witchcraft crazy doctor to actually write the note, all you have to say is "Well I hope it helps you, but you cannot wear that during a softball game according to the rules." The next thing out of their mouth will be "But I can't just take it out." And I would advise you say "That's too bad" and walk away.

I'll tell you guys the problem I'm facing right now with my young players--they're watching ESPN and seeing those college girls wearing those pretty simple post-style earrings, and they're coming to me and saying "If those girls can wear their earrings, why can't we?" And I tell them if you make it to college ball and ESPN, they might let you wear them also.

[Manny A]

The exception in the jewelry rule is for a medical ALERT medal of some sort, usually attached as part of a bracelet, pendant on a chain, whatever, and are designed to provide medical first responders and doctors with information about the wearer's condition. Devices that have some sort of hocus pocus healing attribute, like copper bracelets or the thing you're describing, are not covered by the jewelry exception rule.

Sorry, but nice try. Take the thing off.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Manny A

...Sorry, but nice try. Take the thing off.

I agree, but I'd say "you can't play with it on" rather than "take it off".

[RKBUmp]

While it wasn't some supposed medical piercing, I do remember seeing something from nfhs several years back about a player wearing an insulin pump and it should be allowed.

[Little Jimmy]

We have a player on the local circuit that uses an insulin pump. It used to draw attention but it seems commonplace now.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

While it wasn't some supposed medical piercing, I do remember seeing something from nfhs several years back about a player wearing an insulin pump and it should be allowed.

Don't interpolate, extrapolate, or expand that decision to anything someone declares as a medical device. Stay with the stated rulings.

No one could possibly confuse the need/use/intent of an insulin pump with an earring. Any earring.

[RKBUmp]

Next we will have fidget spinners on the field.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

While it wasn't some supposed medical piercing, I do remember seeing something from nfhs several years back about a player wearing an insulin pump and it should be allowed.

That makes sense. Denying a player from playing because she has an insulin pump would go against the NFHS policy of making "reasonable accommodations for athletes, coaches and officials with disabilities."

Also, NFHS rule 3-2-13 specifically points out that "Each state association may, in keeping with applicable laws, authorize exceptions to NFHS playing rules to provide reasonable accommodations to individual participants with disabilities and/or special needs, as well as those individuals with unique and extenuating circumstances. The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sport, heighten risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage."

That's fundamentally different than allowing an earring that supposedly alleviates migraines. Unless the player's coach shows me a letter from the doctor that says this, she's not playing with it.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Manny A

...Unless the player's coach shows me a letter from the doctor that says this, she's not playing with it.

As much as I dislike being the clothing and jewelry police, I disagree with this for NFHS. Earrings are one of the items declared to be illegal by black-letter rule:

ART. 12 . . . Players in the game are prohibited from wearing jewelry such as rings, watches, earrings, bracelets, necklaces (including cloth or string types) or other hard cosmetic or decorative items.

I would need for the state association to issue a ruling, or she is not playing with that earring in her ear, doctor's letter or not. The doc can prescribe the earring (assuming he is silly enough, IMO), but he cannot make it legal to wear in a high school game.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I agree, but I'd say "you can't play with it on" rather than "take it off".

Along with several other items. Besides the risk of saying that to a player , it is not our decision, but up to the player about playing without it or not playing.
I always remember a player who took herself out of a varsity game, rather than remove a WWJD bracelet. Of course, I wonder about her other games.