In a high school game recently, my crew was put in an unfortunate circumstance. First, a small anecdote: A parent approached me after a recent contest-which happened to be a a conference play-in game for both teams. Whichever team won, they moved on to a much coveted playoff spot in their conference. She was almost in tears as she walked up, a nice looking well mannered lady. I could tell that what she had to say was going to be one of those moments-you know the kind that you just hate to hear about. She asked permission to speak to me, as if it were a rule she could not, and began talking in a low, measured voice. She let me know that her son was a player on the losing team. She stated that she and her husband had taken great pride in coming to the gym tonight. Especially, since her husband-and son's father had recently been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease with a poor prognosis. Her son, as a way to handle his grief/feelings had dedicated tonight's game to his dad. But, her son was a player that did not get in the game that often. And, the coach had promised that under the circumstance-he would play tonight no matter what. So all in the family were just so excited. BUT, you see her son did not get in the game. As it turned out, he had to give up his jersey to another boy, a better player, so that he could play in the game. And, so her son, sat on the bench almost in tears the whole evening, unable to honor his father with his efforts.
Now, the "rest of the story!" At the beginning of the game, the crew had to address two illegal numbers on jerseys. We followed the rules/protocols and did not allow those jerseys on the floor. As it turns out, according to the AD, these illegally numbered jersey's had been used the "entire" year. They were allowed by other referees in over 20 contests. I find that hard to believe, but I am not going to call the guy a liar either. What occurred on the bench was that, some players that normally do not play much, "gave up" their jersey's to the better players, so the team could compete for the playoff spot. We as a crew were unaware of the "human" toll this took on the contest vis-a-vis the story above.
Now, I am not going into my disgust with the outcome of the stories. Nor will I launch into my thoughts about why we have to be uniform police at certain levels; arbitrating what colors and what shapes, and what widths, and what lengths, and what logos are where, and what constitutes this or that. I mean really, how many times have you known a leg sleeve of any length or color creating such an advantage that opposing players could not overcome it? And, do you mean to tell me that a player who wears the number "8", is substantially putting the other team at a disadvantage? I know, it causes problems with reporting fouls. But what about the unintended consequences. I mean, I'm a dad too, and if that had been my son.........................who knows!
What about the other games where supposedly the illegal numbers were "allowed" on the floor. We as referees are expected and paid to apply a governing body of rules to our contests in order to provide a "level playing field" for both teams. Were these numbers overlooked in previous contests? Were there conscious decisions on the parts of crews to allow illegal numbers? Had this been addressed previously would the above story had happened?
I don't know. What I do know is that we are professionals that should apply the rules with reasonable equity across our contests. When a crew sets aside, or ignores a rule, even as "inconsequential" as some of them "appear" to be-you put yourself, the next crew and the avocation/profession in a difficult position. Don't do it! Know the rules. Apply them expertly and professionally as we are paid to do. Who knows, you might be the next crew going in "cleaning up the other crews stuff!"
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