Question Number: 17447

Law 4 - Players Equipment 10/22/2007

RE: Rec- adult Adult

Bradd Waggoner of Allen, Tx USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17211

It's almost funny to read about a referee not allowing chewing gum. My hats off to the referee who does understand what a hazard gum in the mouth can be to a Little. We have arguments all the time in young lady's games about earrings. Woe to ANY referee around these parts who suggests that a young lady remove her earrings!! The parent usually gets angry or worse when we ask that the young lady remove the earring. Of course, there are a few parents who have learned that the earring is a hazard when the young lady has lost her earlobe because of the earring getting hung on something, I.E. a jersey sleeve as has happened around these parts. Personally, earrings are "Remove it or don"t play" I have no desire to make a new friend of a lawyer!!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

I would love to watch the "no gum" referee and see how many shirts are not tucked in, how much jewelry is worn, now many multicolor sliding pants [girdles] are worn under the trousers, whether or not he checks the nets, how he does substitutions, and all the rest of the little things decent referees tend to. If he tends to everything I will not quibble about no gum, if not there are much bigger windmills to challenge.

Regards,