PA Announcer calling out plays

[Hampton Roads 6]

I seem to recall this discussion somewhere earlier in season, but I observed it happening Friday night.

The PA would call out every play the visiting team ran. On one he yelled "Reverse" before the ball carrier got ball. Each time QB dropped to passed he would call it out. I could not believe the officials didn't put a stop to this, but everyone just ignored it.

What does the rules say ?

 

[White hat]

Hr dot believe no one noticed that. The NFHS Rules Book does not address is directly, but it says a referee can take any action deemed necessary to remedy unfair acts.

The VHSL Handbook spells it out clearly that no PA is to be used during a live ball. If someone has this on video, send it to Charlottesville.

 

[FBRef]

We had game management silence a PA guy several years ago. He was doing exactly what is described above.

There's a POE in basketball this season regarding PA announcers and what they can and can't do/say.

Our state supervisor spent 10 seconds covering it.

 

[Stretch35]

Hey White Hat....


Any idea where this is in the VHSL handbook? I haven't found it yet, but would like to know where it is. I thought I remembered reading this in the handbook several years ago, but haven't been able to locate it in the new one.

 

[White hat]

Re: Hey White Hat....

I couldn't find it either, so I went back to the old email from 3 years ago where I asked Tom Zimorski about it. Turns out, it was on the web site but not in the handbook.

The web site has been redesigned and Tom has retired, so I asked Mike McCall if it's still on there somewhere. Mike said it's still in effect and is now part of an 18-page document called "VHSL Crowd Control Procedures for Athletic Events." I'm not sure if it's on the web site or just sent to each school.

On Page 9-10 are 11 points concerning PA announcers. No. 7 is "Do not attempt to do play by play."

I especially like No 10, which will come as a blow to several PA guys I can think of: "The announcer is not the entertainment. The spectators came to watch the game and the players perform, to support the cheerleaders, to enjoy the band and its auxiliary units, to congratulate the homecoming courts, to win a raffle, to see their neighbor's kids, to observe special halftime activities - NOT TO LISTEN TO THE ANNOUNCER!"

A couple others:

"Be professional and unbiased. Put very simply, this means don't "hot dog" it on the microphone! High school sports announcers should not imitate the styles and antics of some college and/or professional PA personnel who draw attention to themselves and away from the athletic contest."

"Say only what is necessary. Talking all the time and speaking constantly into the microphone - especially with unnecessary comments and/or endless promotion - turns people off and makes them not want to listen. People who "turn off" the announcer may miss out on important, valuable or emergency announcements."

Classic

This post was edited on 11/20 1:06 AM by White hat

 

[Stretch35]

Re: Thanks White Hat!..nm


nm