Question Number: 26317

Law 5 - The Referee 5/10/2012

RE: Select,Competive Under 14

Jim Lennon of Hopkinsville, Ky USA asks...

Recently in a tournament in Tennesse we were told that we could not wear baseball caps because they were hard bill.Can referee wear black baseball caps when needed? Do they have to be soft bill. I can't find anything in the rules about it. Thanks Jim

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jim
This is what USSF has to say on the matter
'' Under normal circumstances, it is not acceptable for a game official to wear headgear, and it would never be seen on a high level regional, national or international competition. However, there may be rare circumstances in local competitions where head protection or sun visors might sensibly be tolerated for the good of the game, e.g. early morning or late afternoon games with sun in the officials' line of sight causing vision difficulties; understaffed situations where an official with sensitive skin might be pressed into service for multiple games under strong sunlight or a referee who wears glasses needing shielding from rain." Sunglasses would be subject to the same considerations. In addition, we ask referees to remember that sunglasses have the unfortunate side effect of suggesting that the referee or assistant referee is severely visually impaired and should not be working the game. They also limit communication between the officials and the players by providing a barrier against eye-to-eye contact. Sunglasses, if worn, should be removed prior to any verbal communication with players.''
Note that the answer makes no reference to safety but rather aesthetics and the way that it is perceived which makes the soft bill element irrelevant.
In Europe the use of a baseball cap would be a very rare. I have seen it a few times where the AR facing into a low sun had to wear one to help him see the game. It has happened to me a few times and I just made do without any.
So if tournament organisers say that the caps cannot be worn that is the decision which referees should adhere to.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Perhaps that tournament has enough referees that you only have to do one or two games a day. And enough time that games don't have to be played early morning or in the evening when the sun angle is low. Yeah, right.

But if that's what the tournament organizers and referee assignor wants, that's what you do - this year. When you decline to return to the tournament next year, be sure to tell them why.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Hats are not part of the referee uniform, and except for circumstances such as those outlined in Ref McHugh's answer, should not be worn. As such, any rules regarding hats, or types of hats, evolve from local practices.

What you cited sounds more like a local rule on head wear for keepers, which may have been extended to the referee corps. If a hat simply must be worn, please make sure it is all black, in good repair, with no logos.