League response to my question on use of the Rawlings ball for playoffs. - 04/27/16 06:46 PM
So those here should know I'm no stranger to speaking up and attempting to use the correct channels to lobby for what is BEST for HS Soccer. Not to whine or moan, not my style. Perhaps some will view this as a rant or a whine and I'm ok with your feedback if thats what it appears outside of my rose tinted glasses. Just want the standards to be the highest they can possibly be and have people in decision making positions, to do so with the best interests of our Sport at heart. No agenda, no loyalty to sponsorship deals, no politics, not interested in any of that.
With that said, this is the response from Skip regarding the use of the Rawlings ball. Yes, to be perfectly frank, we did wonder if it was cheaper to pay the fine than buy the balls at one point but decided against that in the interests of compliance. I did find out from the handbook that the fine would likely be either $100 (minimum) or potentially $500. Paying the fine wasn't an issue but the perception of deliberately defying the league clearly is not something we wanted. Kinda like playing under protest or accepting a ruling under duress but I do take issue with protecting a sponsor under the guise / penalty of unsportinglike conduct. I know on the grand scheme, you could argue its equally bad for both teams but a bad ball has potential to really affect a game.
Remember the debacle of the 2010 World Cup and the Jabulani ??
From: "Graham Stafford" <Graham.Stafford@clover.k12.sc.us>
To: skip@schsl.org, "schsl" <schsl@schsl.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 9:20:57 AM
Subject: Rawlings Soccer ball playoff question
Dear SCHSL,
How much is the fine for NOT using a Rawlings Soccer ball during playoffs ?
I’m certainly not the only one asking this but perhaps the only one reaching out to you directly for an answer.
We have the balls ready to use but just curious.
Sincerely,
Coach Stafford
From: Skip Lax <skip@schsl.org>
Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 9:52 AM
To: Master Image <graham.stafford@clover.k12.sc.us>
Subject: Re: Rawlings Soccer ball playoff question
Coach, Schools who do not use the ball will be guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct and penalized according to League guidelines. -Skip
Skip,
Unsportsmanlike conduct ? League obviously makes the rules but not sure what is unsporting about using a superior product instead of an inferior one. Nowhere in the 17 articles under rules and regulations as indicated in the handbook can I find how not using the Rawlings ball is unsportinglike conduct. But, rules are rules.
Rawlings simply isn’t a renowned Soccer brand ( they admit to being new to the sport ) and I can’t think of anything that can potentially affect the game more than using an inferior lighter ball.
Skip, I’m not trying to be anything but honest with you and the league. Like what I have to say or not but I am being respectful and candid in the manner of my approach. I’ve been outspoken on a number of points as you know, but I hope you can notice that all are about having the very HIGHEST standards for High School Soccer, that’s all. I can assure you that I am one of a very large number of coaches who are dissatisfied with the mandate to use a sub standard Soccer ball for the most important part of post season. The Rawlings ball is ok but it really is just that … ok and a mediocre practice ball at best. Mediocre is not a standard I readily accept for my program.
We have 5 game balls in play on game days. 1 on the field and 4 ball boys taking one corner/sideline half each. The only Rawlings ball we could find were for $160 each (I know we got hosed on that price as they seem like $30 balls at most). We got approved for 2 balls. Our AD is copied and can verify this information. There will be a time in the game we host on Tuesday when it will be necessary to use another ball that is not the approved Rawlings ball (ironically unapproved yet of the highest professional quality also costing $160 apiece). I want to be clear and honest up front but we will obviously start with the Rawlings ball and use those two in our regular 5 ball rotation but we do not have “exclusive” Rawlings game balls. Exclusive use of only 2 game balls will likely delay the game at times depending on when one is kicked out of our stadium into the street behind one goal (such is the layout of Memorial stadium) . Both coaches and programs would not be happy with that in a tight playoff game for obvious reasons. I just want to go on record that we will have made a concerted good faith effort to comply with the rules whether I like them or not.
Sincerely,
Coach Stafford
Clover High School
With that said, this is the response from Skip regarding the use of the Rawlings ball. Yes, to be perfectly frank, we did wonder if it was cheaper to pay the fine than buy the balls at one point but decided against that in the interests of compliance. I did find out from the handbook that the fine would likely be either $100 (minimum) or potentially $500. Paying the fine wasn't an issue but the perception of deliberately defying the league clearly is not something we wanted. Kinda like playing under protest or accepting a ruling under duress but I do take issue with protecting a sponsor under the guise / penalty of unsportinglike conduct. I know on the grand scheme, you could argue its equally bad for both teams but a bad ball has potential to really affect a game.
Remember the debacle of the 2010 World Cup and the Jabulani ??
From: "Graham Stafford" <Graham.Stafford@clover.k12.sc.us>
To: skip@schsl.org, "schsl" <schsl@schsl.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 9:20:57 AM
Subject: Rawlings Soccer ball playoff question
Dear SCHSL,
How much is the fine for NOT using a Rawlings Soccer ball during playoffs ?
I’m certainly not the only one asking this but perhaps the only one reaching out to you directly for an answer.
We have the balls ready to use but just curious.
Sincerely,
Coach Stafford
From: Skip Lax <skip@schsl.org>
Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 9:52 AM
To: Master Image <graham.stafford@clover.k12.sc.us>
Subject: Re: Rawlings Soccer ball playoff question
Coach, Schools who do not use the ball will be guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct and penalized according to League guidelines. -Skip
Skip,
Unsportsmanlike conduct ? League obviously makes the rules but not sure what is unsporting about using a superior product instead of an inferior one. Nowhere in the 17 articles under rules and regulations as indicated in the handbook can I find how not using the Rawlings ball is unsportinglike conduct. But, rules are rules.
Rawlings simply isn’t a renowned Soccer brand ( they admit to being new to the sport ) and I can’t think of anything that can potentially affect the game more than using an inferior lighter ball.
Skip, I’m not trying to be anything but honest with you and the league. Like what I have to say or not but I am being respectful and candid in the manner of my approach. I’ve been outspoken on a number of points as you know, but I hope you can notice that all are about having the very HIGHEST standards for High School Soccer, that’s all. I can assure you that I am one of a very large number of coaches who are dissatisfied with the mandate to use a sub standard Soccer ball for the most important part of post season. The Rawlings ball is ok but it really is just that … ok and a mediocre practice ball at best. Mediocre is not a standard I readily accept for my program.
We have 5 game balls in play on game days. 1 on the field and 4 ball boys taking one corner/sideline half each. The only Rawlings ball we could find were for $160 each (I know we got hosed on that price as they seem like $30 balls at most). We got approved for 2 balls. Our AD is copied and can verify this information. There will be a time in the game we host on Tuesday when it will be necessary to use another ball that is not the approved Rawlings ball (ironically unapproved yet of the highest professional quality also costing $160 apiece). I want to be clear and honest up front but we will obviously start with the Rawlings ball and use those two in our regular 5 ball rotation but we do not have “exclusive” Rawlings game balls. Exclusive use of only 2 game balls will likely delay the game at times depending on when one is kicked out of our stadium into the street behind one goal (such is the layout of Memorial stadium) . Both coaches and programs would not be happy with that in a tight playoff game for obvious reasons. I just want to go on record that we will have made a concerted good faith effort to comply with the rules whether I like them or not.
Sincerely,
Coach Stafford
Clover High School