Ridiculous Rules Ruining the Game

Rules run the game.  Every now and again some rule pops up that nobody has a clue exists. Often times people do not know the rule because of the ludicrous nature of that particular rule. In my readings on the Internet I came across a story of North Lawndale College Prep's basketball team. In case you are not familiar with the story, North Lawndale College Prep (NLCP for future reference) received a technical foul before tip off of a semifinal state championship game. The reason they received a technical foul before tip off of a semifinal state championship game was their uniform had a stripe under the armpit that lined the armpit and spilled over into the torso of the jersey. 

Their uniform did not meet regulations due to aesthetics, not functionality, giving them an unfair advantage. The opposing team received two free throws (one of which they missed) and the opening possession of the game. NLCP went on to lose the game by one point 66-65. The team was repeatedly warned before the game that their uniform was not regulation. Obviously this coach agrees with my feelings on this rule as he chose to give the middle finger to the rule and go with the uniforms anyway. However I do believe that he royally messed up. He not only had sufficient time to use uniforms that were regulation but he gave the opposing team the one point they needed to seal their victory. Granted had the uniforms been regulation there is no guarantee the game would have played out the way it did. Given the situation of the game, the extra free throw gave the game to his opponent. 

I fully agree that the rule is beyond absurd. The idea that a stripe on a jersey would even constitute a technical foul, potential points, the opening possession, and possibly the outcome in a game sickens me. There is no physical or mental advantage to having a black stripe under the armpit of a jersey. Its not like a white undershirt for a pitcher which hides the ball or even a corporate logo like the walking billboards soccer players pass off as jerseys. Jerseys are most important in football, as the number of the player indicates their position and therefore aids the referees. In basketball, baseball, hockey, rugby, soccer, etc. the jersey is solely to identify each team and player apart in the context of the game. I think Raider nation will agree with me when I say that some rules should just be stricken from the records. This rule being one of them.

image courtesy of highschool.rivals.com