NFHS/VHSL RULES CHANGE EVEN FOR ANNOUNCERS I have received a few emails, and heard a couple of comments about some of the different things that I am allowed to do at games. I thought I would use this forum to maybe let you know whats new and destroy some of the rumors going forward. Last year the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHS) wrote a new rule into the basketball rule book. Rule 1, Section 18 states, The playing of music/sound effects shall only be permitted ruing pregame, time-outs, intermission and post-game. The use of artificial noisemakers shall be prohibited. The announcer shall be prohibited from making announcements during the game, such as two minutes to go. That rule during the pre-season grew into announcers could not make any kind of announcements while the clock was running. Which in many minds eliminated the basket by #3 Marco Haskins types of calls. Literally two hours before our first game last year, I was handed a letter from the VHSL, explaining the rule was not to prohibit an announcer from giving information, it was focused on the PLAY BY PLAY guys/gals, who think that everybody attending the game came to hear what the announcer says. So, as you all know, the who scored calls and the BULLS-EYES continued. In the 2014-15 edition of the rule book we (announcers) are part of what they call points of emphasis. 1. Announcer Responsibilities: The announcer shall be prohibited from making an announcement while the clock is running and while the clock is stopped and the ball is live...such as during a free throw, a throw-in, etc. Doing so could potentially affect communication of coaches or players, or could be disconcerting. * The announcer shall be prohibited from interrupting the game through the use of the microphone unless there is an emergency. * Announcements or comments, shall be made during those times when there is a stoppage of the clock and the ball is not live, such as time-outs, between quarters, pre-game, half-time and post game. * The announcer is allowed to announce basic information that does not potentially affect the play in general, the players, the coaches or the officials. The announcers information is not official information and could be misinformation shared with all. * Appropriate training of announcers by school personnel and proper pre-game instruction by the referee are necessary. Examples of announcements that CAN be made: Player who scored Player charged with foul Player attempting free throw Team granted a time-out Length of time out (i.e., 30 seconds or 60 seconds) Player entering game Team rosters Examples of announcements that shall NOT be made: Number of points player scored Number of fouls on player Number of team fouls Number of team time-outs or number remaining Time remaining in quarter/game Type of foul or violation Emphatic two-point or three point field goal Now, my OPINION about all this and what were going to do moving forward. The language in the rule book prohibits any announcing while the clock is running, yet gives permission to announce who has scored. If youve already contradicted yourself, please dont take away something that Ive been doing for over 10 years. The general tone of the ruling seems very much an overreach which penalizes a professional (YES, I am paid for what I do, therefore professional) for the sake of however many announcers who may not be making the announcements properly. I keep my own personal/team foul chart and I do work with the scorekeepers to make sure the information is accurate. Even if its incorrect, it can be quickly fixed. The concern here for me is this seems to be an opening of the floodgates for further politically correct rulings: affecting how sports are announced. Whats next? Are they going to take away the Eagle Call on first downs at football games? Are they going to make me STOP playing the theme from Law & Order prior to a baseball game when the umpires take the field? My other concern about this is the ruling is not consistent. I was told during our game with Stafford last week to stop announcing personal/team fouls, yet the announcer at the girls game @ Brooke Point was not stopped. Now I know what youre thinking, you are sitting there saying, But Voice, you mentioned something about Emphatic two-three point field goals. Yes I did.....and in discussion with the Athletic Director, BULLS_EYE will continue until Im told to stop! The only modification Im making is Im not going to do it for EVERY 3-pointer. First possession of a game, Marco goes down and nails one from DOWNTOWN, Im not going to do it. Fourth quarter with the game on the line and Carion hoists one up......youll hear it! Hope this clears up some of the questions. I DO try to provide a good game experience and try and conduct myself in a professional manner. Thanks for listening/reading, and well see you next time in Johnstown.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 14:55:33 +0000
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