Another ball stop question....

[3rdPersonPlural]

rule 1-4-6 says that the ball stop must be a minimum of 10 inches from the outside edge of the crosse (top of the scoop) to the 'farthest exposed edge of the stop'.

I've always read this to mean 10 inches from scoop top to top of the base (length excluding the stop). A ref I worked with the other day had read it to mean scoop to top of ball stop.

"Farthest edge' is apparently the operative verbiage in question here.

Am I reading this right or am I deluded (again...)??

[LaxRef]

rule 1-4-6 says that the ball stop must be a minimum of 10 inches from the outside edge of the crosse (top of the scoop) to the 'farthest exposed edge of the stop'.

I've always read this to mean 10 inches from scoop top to top of the base (length excluding the stop). A ref I worked with the other day had read it to mean scoop to top of ball stop.

"Farthest edge' is apparently the operative verbiage in question here.

Am I reading this right or am I deluded (again...)??

The only way that it makes sense to me is that we're measuring to the ball stop, not the plastic, when checking head length in NFHS lacrosse. In NCAA lacrosse, we measure to the farthest unexposed edge, which is the same as measuring to the plastic. This is one of those nonsensical rules differences.

It used to be even more confusing, with NCAA having us to measure to the exposed edge on a goalie crosse but the unexposed edge on a field stick (or was it the other way around)? I got the NCAA to make a change for internal consistency this year, but unfortunately it made it the opposite of NFHS in all cases. :banghead:

[3rdPersonPlural]

Well, Every head we measured was 10 inches to the plastic and less to the top of the ball stop.

I conclude that manufacturers agree with me.

The problem was that the violations were fixable simply by tearing out the stops, which ipso facto created a new violation.

Kafka in stripes.

[laxfan25]

(Psst, to be really honest - I see a lot of sticks that fail that measurement, and I've never flagged it. Only for narrow heads or short sticks. It may not be kosher, but I don't think I'm the only one operating this way on stick checks.)

[LaxRef]

Well, Every head we measured was 10 inches to the plastic and less to the top of the ball stop.

I conclude that manufacturers agree with me.

They're making their sticks to NCAA regs. It wouldn't surprise me if they didn't know the NFHS rules were different.

BTW, I think "exposed edge" makes more sense, since this prevents people from making an inch-thick ballstop.