Transition Rx v. Sun Glasses on the mound

[mjr_2013]

Two times on Saturday me and my PU had a problem differentiating between the prescription transition lenses and sunglasses... Both turned out to be prescriptions (at least that is what we were told and had to believe given no proof otherwise)... One kid had the brand "Converse" on the frame, but both his dad and himself swore they were Prescription.

The things look the same! The game was 15-0 by the time those pitchers went to the mound so neither coach really cared, but the possibility is there for it to happen in a 1-1 extra inning playoff game where everybody cares.

Anyone have any tricks that can tell you what are sunglasses and what is prescription? Or do we just have to go by what the player, coach, or parent says? And no, I am not going to delay the game 5 minutes while we hold some glasses underneath a shirt to see if they turn clear or not. :rolleyes:

[Rich Ives]

Who cares. There's no rule against sunglasses.

[Umpire in Chief]

Some leagues have their own local rules. I remember when I played a rule stating no wired framed glasses and they must be shatter resistant.

[mjr_2013]

Some leagues have their own local rules. I remember when I played a rule stating no wired framed glasses and they must be shatter resistant.

This. League doesn't want the glare shining into a batters eyes.

[Rich Ives]

Some leagues have their own local rules. I remember when I played a rule stating no wired framed glasses and they must be shatter resistant.

This. League doesn't want the glare shining into a batters eyes.

What glare?

Prescription or Transitions lenses don't glare but Oakley's do? What a crock. Someone thinks there's a rule against sunglasses and is making up a reason.

[scrounge]

Unless the sun is reflecting off the glasses and is distracting, I don't see what the big deal is.

[Rich Ives]

Unless the sun is reflecting off the glasses and is distracting, I don't see what the big deal is.

And if it is it'll reflect off "legal" prescription glasses.

[mjr_2013]

Some leagues have their own local rules. I remember when I played a rule stating no wired framed glasses and they must be shatter resistant.

This. League doesn't want the glare shining into a batters eyes.

What glare?

Someone thinks there's a rule against sunglasses and is making up a reason.

Again. It is a league rule. I'm not on the rules commitee or board, it is just a rule they tell me to enforce.

If you want me to guess where they get it from, I would say LL 4.06 (4)

no fielder shall take a position in the batter's line of vision, with deliberate intent to distract the batter.

They view the pitcher as a fielder in this situation who is obviously in the fielders line of vision... They view non-prescription sun glasses as unnecessary in helping the pitchers performence, and therefore the only purpose they could serve is in distracting the batter.

I know it is a stretch, but I'm trying to enforce the rules that were set forth by the league in the best way I can.

--EDIT--

I worded my last sentence wrong. Fixed it now.

[mjr_2013]

I never said I agreed with the rule. If you want my opinion on the matter, I don't like it. I mean it really doesn't make any sense. Like Rich said, how would it make a difference if a pitcher had coke bottle transition lenses or $250 Oakley's? They glare just the same.

All the comments have persuaded me to talk with the UIC about it though, I'll ask him where the foundation of the rule comes from and see if he has a good answer. If not, I'll go through the proper channels to get it changed.

[Rich Ives]

Tell him my eye pro said the choice is sunglasses or cataracts.

Dollars to doughnuts someone somewhere heard it was a rule and wanted it implemented locally.

[Richvee]

This rules committee need to learn a little about what they're making rules about.

The only type of lens I can see as distracting would be a lens with a "mirror" coating. These lenses reflect light and I can definitely see where this could be distracting to a batter. Mirrored lenses can be Rx or non Rx. Some Oakley's are mirrored, some are not. There's not enough reflection off any other type of lens, (non Rx sunglass or Rx sunglasses, transitions, whatever) that would bother a batter.

Oakley, and many other well known sun glass manufactures offer their lenses in prescription. Oakley can make clear lenses (see K-Rod), Sun lenses, and transition lenses in their frames. Just because the kid's wearing Oakley's, or any other sunglass for that matter, doesn't mean it's not an Rx. I don't see how you can tell a kid with a pair of Rx sunglasses on to take them off. Converse, Rec Spec, Nike just to name a few, all make sports goggles. The are all Rx compatible. You can bring many of these sports frames to an optician and they can supply lenses for them. Clear, polarized sunglass, transitions. Both Rx or non Rx can be made.

Again, unless the lenses have a silver, blue, or some other shinny mirror coat, non of these should be "illegal".

[Mike Prince]

Two times on Saturday me and my PU had a problem differentiating between the prescription transition lenses and sunglasses... Both turned out to be prescriptions (at least that is what we were told and had to believe given no proof otherwise)... One kid had the brand "Converse" on the frame, but both his dad and himself swore they were Prescription.

The things look the same! The game was 15-0 by the time those pitchers went to the mound so neither coach really cared, but the possibility is there for it to happen in a 1-1 extra inning playoff game where everybody cares.

Anyone have any tricks that can tell you what are sunglasses and what is prescription? Or do we just have to go by what the player, coach, or parent says? And no, I am not going to delay the game 5 minutes while we hold some glasses underneath a shirt to see if they turn clear or not.

In this case I wouldn't care either. If the lenses aren't distracting you (PU) they aren't distracting anyone else either.

Edit: Why the hell did I type "lasses" instead of "lenses" - guess I know where my mind is today :)

[noumpere]

In this case I wouldn't care either. If the lasses aren't distracting you (PU) they aren't distracting anyone else either.

Im often distracted by the lasses at the game but I sure dont want them removed. lol

[semper_fi_72]

Some leagues have their own local rules. I remember when I played a rule stating no wired framed glasses and they must be shatter resistant.

This. League doesn't want the glare shining into a batters eyes.

What glare?

Prescription or Transitions lenses don't glare but Oakley's do? What a crock. Someone thinks there's a rule against sunglasses and is making up a reason.

Where do these people come from

So it is a clear sunny day, with the sun high in Center field.

I guess the PU better remove their sunglasses because the glint may distract anyone of the 8 fielders out in front of them.

Get a life people and play baseball.

[NWA_UMP]

These rules come from the same place where hands are part of the bat, ties go to the runner and it's a balk to fake a throw to second and third by your pitcher...

[Welpe]

I guess the BU needs to ensure he isn't wearing them there shiny glasses either. Local rules are made by fools. :no:

[noumpere]

I agree with most of the posters here but to answer to original question, since its a local rule you need to go back to them to see how they want it enforced and maybe the very act of going back to them will get them to rethink the rule.

[Thunderheads]

you mean to tell me this isn't a FED disaster??

[Mike Prince]

Local rules are typically much more of a disaster than anything in FED. At least in FED everyone learns and accepts the rule deviations and we move on. Local rules are often poorly worded and make the situations that they are designed to prevent worse.

[James Walker]

I think we all get handcuffed by local rules... We play Dixie, so 10u is tight base. The local rule on leaving early is automatic out. Not DDB... the reason, they don't want to waste time with DDB during the timed games... Thus our league is one and done in allstar tourneys.

[mjr_2013]

I think we all get handcuffed by local rules... We play Dixie, so 10u is tight base. The local rule on leaving early is automatic out. Not DDB... the reason, they don't want to waste time with DDB during the timed games... Thus our league is one and done in allstar tourneys.

BINGO. I just don't get why leagues can't see the correlation between teams that go far and leagues that treat every game like a tourney game! If I was in charge of making the rules for a league, my job would already be done for me in the larger leagues Official Rulebook.

[mstaylor]

Local rules should include field ground rules, decisions about nationally given options, schedules, make-up procedures and other similar things. I can think of no playin rules that need to be made at the local level.