Fill in the blank.
Well, that's exactly what the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is trying to do.
A shortage on blank ammunition in the state has track officials scrambling to come up with a solution for outdoor season, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch. The starter pistol has been a staple of track-and-field for generations, but the OHSAA might need to come up with alternatives due to a scarcity of blanks available.
OHSAA director of cross-country and track and field Dale Gabor told the paper that he was informed blank ammunition was "low on the totem pole; that's the reason they haven't been produced." Doug Vance, a local outdoor shop owner, said there is so little supply of blanks, most because the product makes up merely a "pittance" of what he sells.
Vance orders bullets from places like Winchester Ammunition. A posting on the company website states: "We are experiencing an extremely high demand for our products, and blanks are a portion of that."
With the want for guns and ammo never higher in the United States, it's clear that manufacturers and suppliers are focusing on the real thing rather than blanks. The Columbus Dispatch reported that the Missouri State High School Activities Association has had a similar issue.
Gabor said he ordered twice as many blanks a year in advance because of the shortage, but the shipment has yet to arrive. Gabor said he was told the deliveries would come in February and then March. Outdoor season began March 26 and non-interscholastic competition is no longer permitted in the state starting April 18.
"It's April now and I'm concerned," Gabor said.
There are electronic starting pistols available online for around $200 or $300. That would be a viable, if pricey, alternative. Blank cartridges are cheap. About 100 rounds can be had for $10 on some websites.
For that and other reasons, Gabor continues to scour for blank ammunition across the state.
"I've heard that some coaches were able to round up some shells from friends who had extras," Gabor said.
In this case, the diligent official is hoping his search comes up blank.
Well, that's exactly what the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is trying to do.
A shortage on blank ammunition in the state has track officials scrambling to come up with a solution for outdoor season, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch. The starter pistol has been a staple of track-and-field for generations, but the OHSAA might need to come up with alternatives due to a scarcity of blanks available.
OHSAA director of cross-country and track and field Dale Gabor told the paper that he was informed blank ammunition was "low on the totem pole; that's the reason they haven't been produced." Doug Vance, a local outdoor shop owner, said there is so little supply of blanks, most because the product makes up merely a "pittance" of what he sells.
Vance orders bullets from places like Winchester Ammunition. A posting on the company website states: "We are experiencing an extremely high demand for our products, and blanks are a portion of that."
With the want for guns and ammo never higher in the United States, it's clear that manufacturers and suppliers are focusing on the real thing rather than blanks. The Columbus Dispatch reported that the Missouri State High School Activities Association has had a similar issue.
Gabor said he ordered twice as many blanks a year in advance because of the shortage, but the shipment has yet to arrive. Gabor said he was told the deliveries would come in February and then March. Outdoor season began March 26 and non-interscholastic competition is no longer permitted in the state starting April 18.
"It's April now and I'm concerned," Gabor said.
There are electronic starting pistols available online for around $200 or $300. That would be a viable, if pricey, alternative. Blank cartridges are cheap. About 100 rounds can be had for $10 on some websites.
For that and other reasons, Gabor continues to scour for blank ammunition across the state.
"I've heard that some coaches were able to round up some shells from friends who had extras," Gabor said.
In this case, the diligent official is hoping his search comes up blank.