by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Umpires have started wearing microphones and earpieces to communicate with each other on the field. While they have been wired for sound to feed into television broadcasts for several years, this new element has been introduced to allow faster communication. These microphones are not fed into broadcast equipment.
The purpose for the devices, trialed earlier in the season, will reduce the need for umpires to run from various areas of the field to discuss decisions. and thereby hold up play. Goal umpires will have receivers but no microphones so the adjudicating field umpire can give the all-clear signal after a score without having to run within earshot of the field umpire. (NOTE: Whenever there is a score, the field umpire gives an all-clear signal to the goal umpire to indicate that there was no in-play infringement, which would cancel the score and bring the ball our for a free kick, then the goal umpire waves the flag/flags - ed.)
Umpire boss Jeff Gieschen said it would bring more consistency to umpire decision making as it will allow umpires to alert each other to behind play incidents as well as allow one umpire in a better position to adjudicate a mark (catch of the ball) or score and advise his colleagues.
Source: Melbourne Age
Umpires have started wearing microphones and earpieces to communicate with each other on the field. While they have been wired for sound to feed into television broadcasts for several years, this new element has been introduced to allow faster communication. These microphones are not fed into broadcast equipment.
The purpose for the devices, trialed earlier in the season, will reduce the need for umpires to run from various areas of the field to discuss decisions. and thereby hold up play. Goal umpires will have receivers but no microphones so the adjudicating field umpire can give the all-clear signal after a score without having to run within earshot of the field umpire. (NOTE: Whenever there is a score, the field umpire gives an all-clear signal to the goal umpire to indicate that there was no in-play infringement, which would cancel the score and bring the ball our for a free kick, then the goal umpire waves the flag/flags - ed.)
Umpire boss Jeff Gieschen said it would bring more consistency to umpire decision making as it will allow umpires to alert each other to behind play incidents as well as allow one umpire in a better position to adjudicate a mark (catch of the ball) or score and advise his colleagues.
Source: Melbourne Age
Article last changed on Friday, June 22, 2007 - 3:33 AM EDT
