Be the Referee: Non-Glare Helmets
May 7, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains why high-glare helmets are prohibited for softball and baseball.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment - Non-Glare Helmets - Listen
A new rule change this year in high school baseball and high school softball deals with helmets.
As many of us sat around over the holidays watching various college football bowl games, we saw what we often call the “Oregon Effect” – teams wearing a very shiny, high gloss helmet to try and catch a kid’s attention with the wow factor.
In both baseball and softball, these high glare-high gloss helmets can be a safety issue, where the sun can reflect off a batter’s or baserunner’s helmet, or even a catcher’s helmet, which could create a safety issue for those kids playing defense. These high gloss helmets are no longer legal starting with this season.
Past editions
April 27 - Vern L. Norris Award - Listen
March 23 - Deciding the Game - Listen
March 16 - Block/Charge Call - Listen
March 9 - Dive on the Floor - Listen
March 2 - Primary Areas - Listen
Feb. 23 - Too Much TV - Listen
Feb. 16 - Video Clip Library - Listen
Feb. 9 - Cheer Safety - Listen
Feb. 2 - Basketball PA Announcers - Listen
Jan. 26 - Wrestling Health Concerns - Listen
Jan. 19 - Basketball Physical Contact - Listen
Jan. 12 - Video Review Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 29 - Video Review Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 17 - Registration Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 10 - Registration Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 3 - Legacy Program - Listen
Nov. 26 - Sideline Management - Listen
Nov. 19 - 7-Person Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 12 - Blocking Below the Waist - Listen
Nov. 5 - Tournament Selection - Listen
Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen
Be the Referee: Air Ball
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
February 20, 2024
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Air Ball - Listen
We’re on the basketball court today, where a player fires up a shot that fails to make it to the basket. An air ball.
But he is able to catch the ball before anyone else touches it. Is this a traveling violation? If not – what is this player able to do now?
It is not traveling as long as the referee judges the first release of the ball as a shot attempt. After catching the shot – it’s treated the same as grabbing an offensive rebound that hit the rim. The player can now restart his dribble, pass the ball or shoot again. A shot attempt is a shot attempt regardless of it hitting the rim or backboard.
Previous Editions
Feb. 13: Hockey Penalties - Listen
Jan. 30: Wrestling Tiebreakers - Listen
Jan. 23: Wrestling Technology - Listen
Jan. 9: 3 Seconds - Listen
Dec. 19: Unsuspecting Hockey Hits - Listen
Dec. 12: No More One-And-Ones - Listen
Nov. 21: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 14: Volleyball Unplayable Areas - Listen
Nov. 7: Pass/Kick Off Crossbar - Listen
Oct. 31: Cross Country Interference - Listen
Oct. 24: Soccer Overtime - Listen
Oct. 17: Tennis Spin - Listen
Oct. 10: Blocked Kick - Listen
Oct. 3: Volleyball Double & Lift - Listen
Sept. 26: Registration Process - Listen
Sept. 20: Animal Interference - Listen
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen