[Strikeout King]

Per Commissioner Tackett


“It is sad that so many have apparently chosen to read small participles of the note above, versus the entirety of the directive and reminder, so I feel the necessity to add specific comments. And admittedly, two totally related paragraphs were not immediately adjacent and that may have caused some people to stop reading at one point, and then not follow through with the rest of the post. While none of the content main material has changed, putting the lines together about both the basics and the option for schools to continue whatever activity provided it is properly supervised. The word “directive” has as one of its meanings/synonyms, “prescription”, which is a recommendation from authority. Clearly this was intended to be at a higher level than simply a recommendation, but not a ban or prohibition, relying on the member school representatives to make appropriate decisions.

Nothing about this directive is etched in stone as far as post game procedures. As the document states, the schools continue to have the option to have postgame handshakes as always, provided they are properly supervised. That was the first part of two main intentions. The first, was to reinforce the requirement for supervision. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, all involved in contests seem to be more aggressive immediately after the contests are concluded and winning with honor and dignity (and losing the same way) doesn’t seem to be being instilled across the board. Sometimes, these attitudes and lack of supervision have resulted in fights/altercations/incidents during postgame periods. In Kentucky alone, this has happened more than two dozen times in the last three years. So the directive to the member schools is simple. Don’t do it, UNLESS you can properly supervise it. And if you don’t supervise it (or if you do and problems occur) then you will be held accountable.

Secondly, and just as critical, don’t expect the officials to police this time period. That has NEVER been the officials’ job at the high school level, and shouldn’t be now.

It’s really that simple. Sportsmanship and civility remain hallmark values. It is my hope that all schools can provide the proper supervision and accountability to continue these types of activities. But if they can’t, then stop doing them.”



http://khsaa.org/10082013-commission...game-activity/




Pretty much meaning that schools can still shake hands after games just as long as they provide supervision.