Referees lose on handshake rule in court

WORCESTER - When the high school basketball season unofficially begins tonight, referees will be required to remain on the court for the postgame handshake or face disciplinary action.

A Worcester Superior Court judge yesterday denied a temporary injunction sought by a group of referees who did not want to follow a new rule requiring them to observe the gesture of sportsmanship.

At issue was a ruling by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association that referees, part of the Massachusetts State Basketball Officials Association, not leave the court until teams have exchanged the traditional handshake. In the past, the referees left the court immediately after they signed the scorebook.

After hearing arguments in a courtroom filled with referees, high school administrators, and MIAA officials, Judge Christine M. Roach ruled against the MSBOA. During the two-hour hearing, the group argued that the rule might cause physical harm, expose them to added liability, and interfere with their contractual relations.

"The court respects the safety and reputation concerns expressed by the plaintiffs," Roach wrote. "However, the court finds plaintiffs have not met their burden to demonstrate the required level of imminent, non-speculative, substantial, and irreparable harm to their physical, reputation, or financial interest . . . "

The MSBOA's main argument was that the rule would put its members in danger from fans and coaches who may be upset at calls during the game.

Alan Goldberger, lawyer for the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, argued, "Anyone who picks up a newspaper knows that we're living in a violent society. The rule is so absurd as to border on delusional."

The MIAA countered by saying there has never been an incident in which an official has been assaulted during a postgame handshake.

"There is no merit to their case," MIAA lawyer James Long told the court. "We haven't had any problems. It's history vs. speculation."

Last fall, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Council, an MIAA committee, voted to require referees in all team sports "to remain at [the] competition site until the handshake ceremony has concluded."

The MSBOA voted not to follow the rule during the 2007-08 season, but its members reluctantly agreed to follow it during the postseason after the MIAA threatened to conduct the tournament without them.

A permanent handshake rule was adopted by the MIAA in October. Last month, the MSBOA sent a letter to the MIAA asking that the rule be put on hold. The MIAA responded with a letter that said if referees did not follow the rule, they would not be allowed to officiate.

Long said referees don't have to follow the rule and that anyone can reject a game when it is assigned to them. If referees accept games and do not follow the rule, they will be suspended.

Goldberger said that would result in public embarrassment. "You might as well put a scarlet letter on them," he said.

The new rule allows referees to leave the court if they feel threatened or if school administrators are not present.