What's the Final Word on Pole Labels?

[ClintonMagus]

I have seen many postings on this board about pole labels, but what is the most up-to-date information? Today, we had an Altius pole disallowed at a USATF Junior Olympics meet because it did not have a stick-on label, and I am wondering what the "real story" is.

Is it a USATF rule? If so, where is it written?
Is is a NFHS rule? If so, where is it written?

Thank you.

[rainbowgirl28]

USATF you want to look in the "Youth" section of the rule book:

It says on page 179:

(n) A competitor shall not use a training pole, a pole which is improperly
marked or a pole rated below his/her weight during warm-up or competition.
Prior to warm-up, the field event Referee or designee shall inspect
each pole to be used in competition to verify that the poles are legal equipment.
The competitor’s weight shall be at or below the manufacturer’s pole
rating. It is the responsibility of the coach or parent to verify the competitor
will use a legal pole rated at or above his/her weight.
NOTE: The manufacturers shall include on each pole a pole rating that shall be a
minimum of 3/4 inch in a contrasting color located within or above the top handhold
position with the position being determined by the manufacturer.

It never says it has to be a "label". As long as you use a marker to make sure the old engravings are a contrasting color, and that the red max hand hold band is in place, the engravings on old Altius poles are 3/4" and meet the rule. The official was in error.

[ClintonMagus]

Thank you. What about NFHS?

[rainbowgirl28]

Thank you. What about NFHS?

It's basically the same wording in the NFHS rulebook. The word "label" is never used. If you're having trouble at HS meets, it's worth buying a rule book and case book.

[ClintonMagus]

Thanks for your help. I have all the rule books and case books. I have searched them high and low, and never found a reference to "label", but I was just looking for input from some experts to see what I might have missed.

It's still probably worth the investment to order labels, if for no other reason than to avoid this sort of issue in the future.

UPDATE: Altius provides labels for free, as long as you include a SASE with the request. I have sent the request to them, figuring "better safe than sorry"...