Upon reading news announcing the concept of Ref for the Deaf, a bracelet-type signal system, I thought about how people would feel wearing those wrist-bracelets and whether it's heavy or light. Then I realized something. Would it be against the regulations to wear such a device on your arm?
As I've played various sports growing up, I'm aware of the rules when it comes to wearing accessories on the body. I even got in trouble with an overzealous ref at the beginning of a YMCA league basketball game. He told me to get off the court since I couldn't prove that my cochlear implant was a necessary device at the time. This was back in the dark ages where I had to wear that god-awful bra-like strap that held my big processor in place on my chest or back with the long cord running out of my shirt to the transmitter. We eventually got paperwork from the doctor stating it was ok to play basketball with that piece of defecation. I think it had something to do with the CI being considered a prosthetic device and not an accessory.
It would be a while before I got past that incident with that particular ref. None of the parents liked him anyways because he was an old grump who had nothing better to do than call fouls for the lightest contact and admonish the coaches for slightly stepping over their boundaries. Refs suck anyways since they're blind and can't make the right calls (except for when it goes my way). Just kidding. :-)
I wonder what refs today would do if they realized one of the players had to wear this device on their wrist. I don't see so much of an issue with light/no-contact sports such as tennis, but I can see how it could be a risk in basketball where there's a lot of defensive positioning and hands flying everywhere. Just imagine that bracelet catching someone's face and tearing some skin.
Granted I don't even know how the device will be designed, but just the idea of a player wearing a wrist bracelet has the potential to make some refs cringe about the risk of injury. Perhaps further research and development can be done on different placements, such as around the waist or on the sock or shoes.
In the end I think the Ref for the Deaf is a great idea and practical. We just need to be aware of the possible implications that it might bring into the game. After all there are plenty of overzealous human refs out there that are eager to break the hearts of vibrant and eager kids just because they have to stick to regulation.
Cued Speech on YouTube
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
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4 comments:
Great post Aaron! Too often the real world isn't considered. One problem is technology moves ahead so quickly it's virually impossible to educate everyone out there on all the advancements, gizmos, etc. weekend refs, coaches will see. Some people are still being stopped at airport securities because of their cochlear implants. It seems inexcusable in this day and age, but the implants keep changing shape, color and size. Better safe than sorry? I don't know the answer. . .
.:.:. rolling eyes .:.:.
Just get a business card from a super-heavyweight, five-partner law firm and wave it in the front of any pinhead trying to rob equity from you. And throw in various media. These pinheads will sweat like pigs.
In certain sports where stoppage of play might be a concern for various reasons, you ought to realize the operative words here in quotes: "dead play."
This is when the bracelets are in effect. Usage of this for other reasons will result in penalties. How will referees know this? Simple. The referees should wear these bracelets thus ensuring this isn't abused in non-dead play. All concerned on the same page.
One master device should control all bracelets and that's in use by a certain personnel overseeing the competition--referees, coaches and players.
To use this in place of starting gun. Same principle. The person in charge of the starting gun also work the master device but accuracy may be a concern because to use the starting gun and this device is an arduous task. Don't try having another person.
It's a start but this has razor-thin margins for error.
Concept-wise, this is nifty but don't get too naive.
hahahaha i can see it now.. people rumbling secrets in morse code! LOVE IT
Hi! I'm 56, hearing and have a 4-yo grandson who is deaf. I have been looking for something like this for 2 years. The only thing close is a big transmitter and receiver the size of a deck of cards he would have to wear on his belt and costs about $150. I could use it to get his attention on the beach, at the playground or even a large room. How handy if his whole pre-K class wore them on one of their outings! You could even have a special Emergency signal if he was in danger. I recently attended my first deaf basketball game in Faribault, MN and could not figure out why they didn't have someone just flick the lights when the whistle blew. This is a GREAT product and I will be first in line to buy one!
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