If any coach or official would like to review the Powerpoint presentation made at the annual Rules Interpretation Meeting, just click in this link to download. For anyone without Powerpoint software, the presentation can also be viewed as a .pdf file by downloading this file.

PIAA has added links to a number of documents, diagrams for new 30 meter exchange zones and other information from PIAA and the NFHS about changes in the rules for Track and Field on its website. The information can be seen and/or downloaded at http://www.piaa.org/sports/track/default.aspx.

Following a requirement from the Mid-Penn Conference that all PIAA officials working in any sport to obtain personal liability insurance coverage, the Eavenson Chapter now has a $1 million dollar policy contract for each of its members.

The new insurance requirement from the conference came on the heels of PIAA dropping blanket liability coverage for all officials as of the beginning of the 2019-20 school term.

After surveying several options, including having all members join the National Federation of High Schools with its included insurance policy, chapter officials opted to purchase a policy from a separate insurer that deals with multiple sports and leagues throughout the country. The coverage also includes hospitalization in case of accidents in addition to the required liability limits the Mid-Penn demanded. The costs were very reasonable, with minimum limits, and amounted to approximately $13 per member. The policy covers both the track and cross country seasons for the calendar year 2020.

The Fall, 2019 PIAA Officials Bulletin can be read on the PIAA website by clicking here.

The National Federation has posted a summary of changes to the 2010 Rule Book. They can be reviewed here.

The annual Rules Interpretation Meeting has been postponed from Tuesday, February 12, 2019 to the following day – Wednesday, February 13 due to the winter storm. The meeting will still be held at 7:00 for coaches and officials at the East Pennsboro MS.

The new NCAA rule book brings several changes to officials working collegiate meets. One major change concerns the 400 meter relay exchange zones. Instead of having a 10 meter acceleration zone and a 20 meter exchange zone, the baton may now be passed in the entire 30 meter area. Schools are encouraged to repaint their tracks to reflect the change, but NCAA rules interpretations are permitting tape or some other indicator to be used as a reminder.

The second major change that will affect most officials is the new time limit for attempts in field events. Competitors must now initiate throws and high jumps (with exceptions for limited competitors and consecutive tries) in 30 seconds. In weight events, the rule indicates that the clock should start when the competitor “steps onto the pad.” The latest Interpretations of the rule specify that the time limit should start when the competitor’s name is announced a second time if someone delays.

The new rules are available for download at https://www.ncaapublications.com/p-4564-2019-2020-cross-country-and-track-and-field-rules.aspx

As the 2018-19 school year started, our officials chapter was greeted with the news that PIAA had officially approved changing our name to the “David B. Eavenson” Chapter of PIAA Track and Field Officials.

That switch was made to honor the legacy of Dave Eavenson, chapter Treasurer and retired AD of Carlisle School District, who passed away recently, as well as his namesake father, the Director of Athletics at Dickinson College for many years and a founder of the chapter in the 1970s.

Although nothing else will change about the chapter’s focus in central Pennsylvania, we will begin trying to change our website and other communications to reflect our new and – now – official title.

The PIAA recently sent out an updated set of guidelines for all officials who work cross-country meets. The information can be found on the PIAA website to download and study by going here.

The NFHS is following its pattern of not making major changes that affect how events are run, but again is dealing with uniform issues and other items that will be interest to most officials. The summary of rule changes can be found here, with an article about those changes in this location.