Report to Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
YOUTH SPORTS RULE CHANGES REGARDING HAIR ADORNMENTS AND JEWELRY
Body
I. SUMMARY
To stay in line with rules governing high school sports that are provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), certain rules governing hair adornments and jewelry were updated in the City of Carson youth basketball, soccer, and flag football rulebooks.II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
HOLD discussion.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE any other action the Commission deems appropriate.IV. BACKGROUND
The rulebooks that govern the sports offered by the City of Carson’s Youth Sports Section oftentimes lean heavily on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the body that writes the rules of competition for most high school sports and activities in the United States.
Prior to the start of the 2022-2023 school year, the NFHS relaxed some of their rules regarding hair adornments and jewelry. Specifically, hair adornments, including beads, may be worn by high school soccer and basketball players (and other sports the City of Carson doesn’t currently offer) provided they are secured in a bun or close to their head and do not present a safety hazard to the player, teammates, or opponents. There are no rules with hair adornment stipulations in the NFHS rulebook for baseball or softball, and the City of Carson also doesn’t have rules in the baseball and softball rulebooks. Also of note, since the City of Carson offers flag football (no helmets worn) instead of tackle football (helmets worn), the rules regarding hair adornments for flag football would follow the same rules as soccer.
In 2023, high school baseball and softball players and coaches were permitted to wear jewelry after the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee voted to remove its prohibition from the rules. Previously, only medical and religious medals were permitted by rule. While most jewelry is permitted, the Rules Committee noted that the current rules still state that any jewelry worn that poses harm or injury to a player or opponent should be removed. This would include things like over-sized pendants, or jewelry with sharp or pointed adornments.
In response to those changes, the City of Carson Youth Sports Section rules books have been emended for current and future years to read as such -
Basketball, Soccer, and Flag Football rulebooks
5. EQUIPMENT
B. Player Equipment:
Rubber, cloth or elastic bands may be used to control hair. Hard items, including, but not limited to beads, barrettes, bobby pins and other adornments in the hair that are securely fastened to the head and do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates or opponents are allowed.
NOTE: Hair charms are considered jewelry and are not allowed.
A player shall not wear any type of jewelry while participating in a game. Religious and medical alert medals are not considered jewelry. A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical alert medal must be taped and may be visible.
Baseball and softball rulebooks will specify that most jewelry worn will be allowed, but any jewelry worn that poses harm or injury to a player or opponent should be removed.V. FISCAL IMPACT
None.VI. EXHIBITS
None.
Prepared by: Scott Griffee, Recreation Program Manager