The S.C. High School League State Championship Weekend will be May 13-14 at Irmo H.S. W.C. Hawkins Stadium.
Does anyone else find it rather hypocritical and disingenuous that the state association would choose a venue for the state championships where the field is non-compliant with NFHS rules; yet, make it a crime of major proportions should a Rawlings (i.e., "inferior") ball not be used?
NFHS rules state in Rule 1, Section 2, Article 3:
"…A halfway line shall be marked across the field, equidistant from the goal lines and parallel to them."
And, also state in Rule 1, Section 2, Article 4:
"… The center of the field of play shall be indicated by a spot 9 inches in diameter or other suitable mark;"
NFHS also clearly provides a rule interpretation as follows:
"1.2.1 Situation B: A game is to be played on a field where the home team’s logo obscures the halfway line and center circle. RULING: Illegal"
I'm no legal expert; but, the rules and interpretation seem pretty clear to me that when looking at the soccer field markings at W.C. Hawkins Stadium at Irmo H.S., that the field does NOT comply with the marking rules as stated with regard to the halfway line and spot.
I'm just saying...