Track and Field Rule Clarifications For 2006 & 2007 and 2008... Most Recent At Bottom Of Page.
1. April 30, 2006: Under Garments...
As quoted from a recent NFHS Memo. "...A question has been presented regarding whether or not a manufacturer's logo on the outside back of an under garment with the same prominent logo on the front is legal. Such an under garment would NOT be legal if both logos are visible. The key is the visibility of the second logo on the shirt. Please review the following situation...
Situation 1: Runner A is wearing an under garment with a manufacture's logo on the mock style collar and on the outside back of the under garment. Runner B from another school is wearing the same style garment. When the uniform top is worn a) the style and cut of the uniform of Runner A completely covers the logo on the back; b) the style and cut of the uniform of Runner B allows the logo on the back to be clearly visible.
Ruling: a) legal and b) illegal. Comment: Rules 4.3.1(d)1 specify a single manufacturer's logo trademark or reference is permitted. This rule would be enforced by what the official observes and not what is covered by the uniform top. In (a) the second logo is not seen and in (b) it is visible and must be considered illegal.
Situation 2: Relay Under Garments...If relay athletes come up to an official with three having black spandex underneath and one having white spandex underneath and their coach quoted the OLD rule that one may be different.
Ruling: The current Federation rule states if one or more wear an under garment then the garment must be of the same solid color for each member wearing an under garment. Visible garments may vary in length. Rules 4.3.2(a) and 4.3.2(b)
2. April 30, 2006: Correction of Scores...
Situation 1: Team A beat Team B by a single point in a league duel meet. That night after the meet the coach from Team B discovered that his/her relay team was not given credit for winning the event but Team A was mistakenly given the winning points. The next morning the coach from Team B told his/her athletic director of the mistake. When contacted, the coach from Team A was upset because he/she moves other relay athletes based upon how the previous relay team finished.
Ruling: Rule 2.3.1 reads that clerical or team scoring errors may be corrected up to 48 hours after the conclusion of the meet, unless another time period is specified in advance by the games committee or meet director.
Note: The signing of the score sheet by the referee/starter does NOT over ride the rule pertaining to the 48 hours allowed for corrections unless it has been specified by the games committee, meet director or league in advance. See 2005 Case Book: Rule 2.3.1 Situation F.
3. October 17, 2006: Uniform Clarification...
After receiving some questions regarding uniforms, ATOM inquired with the MHSAA and received the following ruling...
The concern was with athletes (either males and/or females) rolling up the waist band top of their shorts. The ruling: NOT a violation as long as two(2) conditions are met...(1) The jersey MUST be tucked in all the way around at the start of the race and (2) The waist band MUST be at or above the waist line of the athlete.
Note: Athletes that intentionally pull their jersey out after the start of the race and the action is observed by the starter/referee may face a disqualification. Preventative officiating is strongly recommended. (See 2006 Rules Book Page 25, Rule 4.3.1.b.7 and 2005 Case Book Page 14, Rule 3.2.4 and 2006 Rules Book Page 27, Rule 4.5.7)
4. February 27, 2007: Clarification dealing with hydration...
At a recent rules meeting there was a discussion regarding the providing of hydration for the athletes during competition. The following clarification has been approved by the MHSAA Office in Lansing...
Hydration: In cross country a Games Committee can designate an area where liquids may be provided to ALL competing athletes, OR, the Games Committee may allow coaches to provide liquids to their respective athletes in designated unrestricted areas of the course. At the MHSAA regional and final meet the area will be designated if deemed necessary.
5. April 22, 2007: New issues discussed at the ATOM Executive Board Meeting...
A. Indoor Shot Puts are NOT legal for use for OUTSIDE competition.
B. Pole Vault: Concern is warranted if coaches are allowing ANY pole vaulter to use a weight rated pole BELOW their vaulters actual weight. If an injury would occur to that vaulter due to the athlete being allowed to use an incorrect pole, any catastrophic insurance being carried by the school would become null and void and the coach would become responsible and liable.
6. April 20, 2008: Undergarment shirts with different colored stitching...
A. Clarification from last year... this type of undergarment IS LEGAL as the stitching is considered to be part of the construction of the undergarment and is NOT to be considered as a "second" color of the undergarment.