New Official Volleyball Rules

[SuperHornet]

FIVB has issued new rules with twin goals of aligning indoor court rules with beach rules and strengthening the role of the captain. They're also bringing back yellow and red cards. That's all well and good, but there's one tweak that I don't like at all. I think I know where they're going with this, but a strict interpretation (as you know will happen at the international level) is bogus. The issue is this: a player must now have permission from the ref to leave the playing area. I'll bet this is intended to stop fights before they start, but they actually expect a player to raise his/her hand to go to the bathroom? How grade school is THAT?!?

Dislike!

Also, the same USAVB press release that announced these changes ALSO announced that beach player Kerri Walsh will be a judge on tonight's Miss Universe pageant. I mention that only to also say that they list the other judges, which includes one Pablo Sandoval. I suppose he has to turn in his man card? Or should he be envied for being in the presense of worldwide hotness in skimpy bikinis?