With the start of scholastic sports seasons just around the corner, there will be circumstances in which the American flag won’t be displayed.  Broken flag poles, lost flags, snapped ropes, or general oversight can cause the American flag to not be displayed.  How, as P. A. announcers, are we to handle it?  Simple, the US Flag Code is there to help us out.

Cornell University Law School:  Legal Information Institute

Title 36, Subtitle I, Part A, Chapter 3, Section 301, Part b, Subsection 2 states:

“when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.”

What does this mean?  If you don’t have a flag, ask fans to face toward the sound system or the nearest speaker for the playing of the National Anthem.

Situations like the one above are why you should always tell fans where to face for the National Anthem.  It also assists those who are unfamiliar with your venue know where to turn their attention rather than that awkward, “where is it?!?!” scramble before the first note plays.