HS Player Number 0

[chapmaja]

Varsity match tonight. Between subvarsity and varsity matches the R1 was talking to the scorers table regarding numbering on uniforms. He stated that 0 is an illegal number. Low and behold, the visiting team comes out with the libero wearing number 0. The scorers table, who had been told 15 minutes earlier, now tells me "she is wearing an illegal number, she can't be 0".

My understanding of the NFHS rule code is the number must be "no more than 2 digits (0-99)"

I basically have to tell the scorers table that he was mistaken and 0 is a legal number. He overhears this and continues to say it was an illegal number. His rationale is that "how do you signal a fault by number 0?". I said with a closed fist. His arguement is that means 10.

Funny, he did not say anything to the visiting coach about the number and allowed the libero to play the entire match wearing number 0.

I know I am right because as he was saying it to the table, I was looking it up in the rulebook.

My questions are however ;

1) Is there a restriction prohibiting "0" in other rules codes like NCAA or USAV?

2) Was the prohibition against "0" and "00" just a state of Michigan thing, or was this in the NFHS rulebook at some point (I don't see it in the rules now).