Be the Referee: Bowling Ball Rules
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
December 17, 2024
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Bowling Ball Rules - Listen
We’re bowling today, and the question is: Can a bowler use a bowling ball with no holes?
The answer is yes – but there are some rules around it.
A ball with no holes would have to follow static balance rules. If the ball weighs more than 10 pounds, it may not have more than three ounces of difference between any two halves of the ball.
Additionally, there needs to be a plus sign (+) engraved on the ball where the bowler will place their dominant hand if the ball has more than a three-quarter ounce imbalance between any two halves of the ball.
If there is no imbalance, the plus sign is not needed, and the bowler can place their dominant hand anywhere on the bowling ball they like.
Previous 2024-25 Editions
Dec. 10: Neck Laceration Protector - Listen
Dec. 3: Basketball Goaltending - Listen
Nov. 26: 11-Player Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 19: 8-Player vs. 11-Player Football - Listen
Nov. 12: Back Row Setter - Listen
Nov. 5: Football OT - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Registration - Listen
Oct. 22: Volleyball Serve - Listen
Oct. 15: "You Make the Call" - Soccer Offside - Listen
Oct. 8: Roughing the Passer - Listen
Oct. 1: Abnormal Course Condition - Listen
Sept. 25: Tennis Nets - Listen
Sept. 18: Libero - Listen
Sept. 10: Cross Country Uniforms - Listen
Sept. 3: Soccer Handling - Listen
Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen
(MHSAA file photo.)
Be the Referee: Volleyball Libero Uniforms
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
November 18, 2025
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Volleyball Libero Uniforms - Listen
Before the match begins, a volleyball team takes the court wearing super-stylish, brand-new jerseys. The libero is in a bright neon top, but two other teammates also have the same neon sleeves.
At first glance, it looks like multiple liberos are on the floor. As the referee, you must check carefully: Under current NFHS uniform rules, the libero’s jersey must clearly contrast from all other teammates in color, design, and trim.
Accessories like sleeves or leggings are permitted, but they cannot confuse the identification of the libero. In this case, because the libero’s jersey color is the same as teammates’ sleeve color, the contrast is not sufficient, and the coach must correct it before play begins.
This ensures quick identification for substitutions, scoring, and libero actions.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Nov. 11: Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen