Rules changes for next year

[Texas Aggie]

Seems to me that's easily fixed by mandating for both men and women shorts that go to the knee. Schools (uniforms) have been doing that for years.

If I remember correctly, we wore shorts, then when I was given a playoff assignment, I was told to wear pants. Good thing I did hoops as I had a pair. Of course, we wore the stripped shirts for no good reason. I'm glad they've got yall in the white shirts. It looks better and I know its much more comfortable.

[blueump]

If California can wear their shorts can't we in Michigan wear our snowmobile suits? Some of these school gyms have computerized heating systems that turn all the heat off at 3:00 p.m. each day! By the time we start the match (3 hours later) the temp has dropped 30 degrees!

[MCBear]

blue, that would require that Gina & MHSAA to issue a directive allowing you to wear the appropriate snowmobile suit! I understand what you are saying since I refereed in Southeast Lower Michigan as well as Northern Ohio until I moved out here to the left coast in 1993.

Seriously though, the only time that our CIF officials are allowed to wear shorts is when the temperature is over 100 degrees and only in the schools located in the desert communities where it occurs. For those of us in the majority of the state, we never are allowed to legally wear shorts during HS matches.

Best suggestion I can give you is what I learned to do in San Francisco - layer the clothing so that when it is cold you are comfortable and when (if) it warms up, you can remove a layer or two (or three or as required) to remain comfortable.

[blueump]

We've ended up wearing our black MHSAA jackets over our white shirts through many matches. I know it's not proper procedure according to the NFS, but then again, it's not their frostbite! According to the Constitution, if I have the right to "bare arms" I should have the right to cover them!

[MCBear]

What you could also do is to wear either a white sweatshirt or sweater with the "Certified Volleyball Official" logo or a white, lined jacket with the logo. That is what we do out here when things are a little cold. We have had officials wearing gloves and stocking caps when they have to referee club ball at Hanger 12 in Alameda or the Mare Island Sports Complex. Temperatures in those venues tend to run between 40-50 degrees when the sun is not shining and when the wind is whipping across San Francisco Bay.

Good luck the rest of your season.