Football Team Used Unauthorized Ball In Playoff Game, Now Receives Penalty

The Milford Daily News (Mass.),

http://www.milforddailynews.com/sports/local_sports/x1503802453/Schools-Natick-football-coaches-receive-MIAA-penalty

A meeting with the MIAA Board of Directors on Wednesday to review the incident regarding the use of an unauthorized football by Natick in its playoff game with Plymouth South yielded consequences for the Redhawks coaching staff.

The MIAA ruled that for using the ball the entire Natick coaching staff, led by head coach Mark Mortarelli, will be required to attend three courses offered by the National Federation and one course offered by the MIAA on sportsmanship.

“It is regrettable that this incident occurred, and unfortunate that so many of the things that could have prevented it from happening and becoming the story that it is didn’t happen,” said Natick athletic director Tim Collins in a statement.

During the game, Natick asked and received permission from a game official to use a Wilson GTS ball, despite the fact that the MIAA rules state the only ball authorized for use was a ball made by Spalding.

Permission was granted on the basis of weather, but Plymouth South was not informed, and used the ball regulated for playoff use. But despite receiving permission, the Board of Directors found that even inquiring about the use of a different ball constituted unsportsmanlike conduct.

“Natick’s Football Staff did ask for and receive permission on that snowy, stormy playoff football night to use (not an illegal football) but a non-corporate sponsored football,” continued the statement by Collins. “The MIAA assigned officiating crew made a game time decision and Natick’s Football Team was authorized to use the brand of football it had used all season. The Natick Coaching Staff acted on good faith that the MIAA Officiating Crew had the authority to make the decision they made that night.”

Despite that, Collins said the coaching staff would cooperate with the penalty and that the coaches would attend all required sportsmanship courses.

“Natick High School respects the MIAA’s decision and the efforts of the MIAA Football Committee and the Executive Board,” said Collins. “Although we have not received in writing the MIAA’s findings from yesterday’s (Wednesday) Executive Board Meeting, Natick HS is ready to move forward and will follow the MIAA directives in regard to the Football Staff completing a Coaches’ Education Course.”