Rules and regulations are the most essential part of education and athletics, but in some cases, one has to wonder if certain rules are necessary.
Report cards came out Friday and a few teams took hits, losing players to academic ineligibility. Now that's a necessary rule (2.0 GPA).
In contrast, rules on pep bands and softball coaches' attire are among those that draw a big question and maybe a laugh.
If you have ever been to a basketball game at Broadneck High, you know the atmosphere is similar to that of a big-time college game thanks to the Bruins' pep band.
Their pep band generates excitement and entertainment.
Broadneck's musical crew plays rock and roll to catchy music heard around the country in major sports arenas.
These musicians have a knack for the most timely tunes and are enthusiastic, although they sometimes are warned by the referees to cool it while the ball is in play.
Now the bad news. Once again the sometimes pompous Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association has ruled that pep bands are not allowed in the regional tournaments.
Yes, the MPSSAA wants to take all the fun and school spirit out of athletic tournaments.
"I'm waiting for a state memo telling us that fans can't cheer too loud, keep the noise level below 90 decibels," said Broadneck assistant athletic director Tim McMullen.
"I ask them why the pep bands who play all year can't play when we get to the regionals, and they say, 'because that's what we have always done.' That's great isn't it?"
It's ridiculous, that's what it is, but I guess it's in line with such things as open tournaments where 0-20 teams can play in the postseason.
Fans who attended the Fuel Fund Classic at UMBC in December and then the Charm City Classic at Loyola College, thought the Bruin pep band was a great addition.
About softball attire, it seems that the National Federation wants to dress up their coaches.
Beginning this spring, no jeans, no sweat shirts, no fleece-lined jackets and no more dresses for softball coaches.
The new rule says the coaches must wear "school uniform or jersey, coaching shorts or slacks that have to be the same color as the team's shorts or pants."
If wearing a shirt, it must be the same color as the team jersey and warm-ups must be nonfleece in school colors.
Arundel coach Paul Yannuzzi is considering leather coaches' shorts because leather has not been outlawed.
"We might put our coaches in green leather hot pants," joked Arundel athletic director Bernie Walter upon hearing the new rule.
On the ice
Navy's club hockey team is headed for Arizona this weekend to play two games.
The Mids (13-3-2) are coming off their 7-3 victory over (11-5-1) Worcester (Mass.) in the 18th Crab Pot final. It was Navy's sixth overall Crab Pot title.
In the last seven years under Jim Barry, the Navy hockey program has grown to three teams (A, B and C) with 75 Mids playing.
Washington Capitals Sylvain Cote and Keith Jones participated in pre-game ceremonies at the Crab Pot.
During the NHL strike, Cote helped O. T. Campbell coach the St. Mary's High ice hockey team and recently donated jerseys and sticks to the Saints.
, We need more pros like Cote.
Football awards
St. Mary's is the site of Thursday's 41st annual Annapolis Touchdown Club banquet to honor Navy and Maryland football players along with 4A state champion North County as "The High School Team of the Year."
Severna Park grad Jamie Bragg, the Terps' two-way lineman, will take the MVP Award for his team while North County back Topper Ellis receives the Rhodes Trophy and Annapolis two-way lineman Beau Watkins the Al Laramore Trophy.
For ticket information, call Ray Crosby at (410) 266-1474 or Dick Gallant at (410) 544-1307.
Gregg on the mend
Veteran Severna Park boys soccer coach Don Gregg is resting comfortably at home after a successful triple-bypass operation.
Kiple's success
Do you realize that Broadneck coach Jerry Kiple led his girls cross country team to a 3A East Region title in the fall and this week coached the Bruin boys indoor track team to the 3A East title at Baltimore's Fifth Regiment Armory?