Pick a rule...any rule...

[LMSANS]

I worked my first American Legion game of the season last night. American Legion in this area plays under Fed rules during the regular season. Since most of the coaches are the local HS V or JV coach, I figure it's so they don't have to learn anything new (as if they new the old:clap:).

We're in the pre-game and the coaches are talking about their "silly" helmets and how the kids tease them when they wear them. Then one coach says "the umpire the other night told me--if you promise not to call a lawyer if you get hurt, I won't make you wear them--so I promised him."

I grinned at him and said I don't see it that way and let's play ball. All coaches wore helmets throughout the game.

Then it occurred to me, if we are playing by Fed rules, why are these guys wearing helmets?

Any opinions on which rule set to follow? Following Fed rules is consistent throughout the season for all teams in the conference.

[bassfam11]

I do a lot of Legion BB in NJ. The national governing body mandates that ALL coaches must where batting helmets while coaching a base.

See J-3

http://www.baseball.legion.org/forms/alb_rules2009.pdf

Legion does not follow FED rules, they use modified OBR

It is important to note the FPSR is in effect. No malicious contact at any time. I see a lot of "take out slides" and always call interference on it.

Edited June 14, 2009 by bassfam11

[LMSANS]

...Legion does not follow FED rules, they use modified OBR...

QUOTE]

Down the shore they do. (Ocean & Monmouth Counties)

[Astrosdawg07]

I know for a fact in our local chapter we did not enforce this rule...:banghead:

[Umpire in Chief]

Legion does not follow FED rules, they use modified OBR

I know they are supposed to play under modified OBR the coaches generally ask to play under FED and say they'll deal with OBR in the tournament...

It's their game...

[bassfam11]

Interesting, do you guys allow jewelry(we allow it), what about reentry by starters(no reentry by any player)? DH for pitcher only or for any player (pitcher only).

Didn't know different areas played using different rules. I need to get out more often:smachhead:

We only cover the Camden County league.

Edited June 14, 2009 by bassfam11
spelling

[therefump]

I worked my first American Legion game of the season last night. American Legion in this area plays under Fed rules during the regular season. Since most of the coaches are the local HS V or JV coach, I figure it's so they don't have to learn anything new (as if they new the old:clap:).

We're in the pre-game and the coaches are talking about their "silly" helmets and how the kids tease them when they wear them. Then one coach says "the umpire the other night told me--if you promise not to call a lawyer if you get hurt, I won't make you wear them--so I promised him."

I grinned at him and said I don't see it that way and let's play ball. All coaches wore helmets throughout the game.

Then it occurred to me, if we are playing by Fed rules, why are these guys wearing helmets?

Any opinions on which rule set to follow? Following Fed rules is consistent throughout the season for all teams in the conference.

Wow, first I've heard of American Legion under FED rules. In our area we are totally OBR with the "Legion" modified rules for safety.

I've heard coaches "ask" if they have to wear helmets and it's been a definitive YES either by myself as UIC or my partner.

Don't let them off the hook. Once they gain a playoff spot they're bound by the OBR rules + Legion modifications.

[LMSANS]

Interesting, do you guys allow jewelry(we allow it), what about reentry by starters(no reentry by any player)? DH for pitcher only or for any player (pitcher only).

Didn't know different areas played using different rules. I need to get out more often:smachhead:

We only cover the Camden County league.

Usually liberal subs and PU does not take the lineup. Other than that pretty straight Fed rules (no Jewelry, DH for anybody, CR for F1 & F2, etc)

[Don]

I do a lot of Legion BB in NJ. The national governing body mandates that ALL coaches must where batting helmets while coaching a base.

See J-3

http://www.baseball.legion.org/forms/alb_rules2009.pdf

Legion does not follow FED rules, they use modified OBR

It is important to note the FPSR is in effect. No malicious contact at any time. I see a lot of "take out slides" and always call interference on it.

American Legion rules are used here for American Legion games, and there is a malicious contact rule in American Legion. Think NCAA when doing an American Legion game as far as FPSR and MC is concerned.

[widac]

In Portland up until last year the Legion teams played Fed until playoff time. Starting last season Legion insisted that they use Legion rules. Most of the schools/teams in the area broke off and and formed their own league, OIBA (Oregon Independant Baseball Association). Strictley FED rules.

[mstaylor]

I was reading somewhere that AL uses OBR/modified, read AL rules but recognize that some systems use Fed rules. If that is what the league votes on AL is OK but they will have to use their rules in play-offs.

[BT_Blue]

I grinned at him and said I don't see it that way and let's play ball. All coaches wore helmets throughout the game.

Then it occurred to me, if we are playing by Fed rules, why are these guys wearing helmets?

Better get used to it. Its in pro ball and it came into NCAA this year. It will be in FED either next year or the year after.

Now here is the other thing. In Connie Mack and other HS age leagues they are making the coaches wear helmets. Now according to NCAA, the coaches can not be closer to the field than the inside line or closer to HP then the bottom line of the coaches boxes at the time of the pitch. I didnt see anything about that in the rules (Connie Mack, Legion, etc.). Is that in there somewhere or do they have free run?

[BT_Blue]

I was reading somewhere that AL uses OBR/modified, read AL rules but recognize that some systems use Fed rules. If that is what the league votes on AL is OK but they will have to use their rules in play-offs.

Much like the Connie Mack leagues here. Ive worked four different leagues. One uses American League (AL) modified rules with FED re-entry and coaches helmets. Another uses strictly AL rules with no re-entry. Another uses AL modified with re-entry but no helmets. And still another does the same but uses metal bats (the first three use wood).

Its confusing, especially since they are all governed by the same group.

[PeteBooth]

I worked my first American Legion game of the season last night. American Legion in this area plays under Fed rules during the regular season. Since most of the coaches are the local HS V or JV coach, I figure it's so they don't have to learn anything new (as if they new the old:clap:).

As others mentioned Legion has their OWN rule-set. It is OBR based EXCEPT they have the NCAA FPSR and the NCAA Collission rule.

Sine you are chartered Legion organization it would seem that this league would need a waiver from Legion Headquarters to change the rule-set becasue last year Legion put a major emphasis on coaches wearing helmets in the coaches box.

Pete Booth

[blue32]

Wow, I'm surprised that Legion would allow FED rules to be used for their games, reg season or not. Legion seems to be pretty hard line on protecting their brand, especially where I am, where we are even required to wear the Legion patch on our umpire shirts when doing games. I'm thinking if the Legion folks got wind of the fact that FED rules were being used, they would put the kabosh on that in a quickness!

[mstaylor]

The system that got questioned had the question go to AL headquarters. The system in question was JrLegion used FED, SrLegion used OBR.

[LMSANS]

Around here it is both junior and senior legion. Fed rules. When they advance to the next level (region or states, IDK), they go with the Legion rules.

I just thought it was funny that the only Legion rule they chose to apply was the helmets for the coaches.

[Ump Rube]

Do you think that a rule will ever be instated that requires us (umpires) to wear either HSMs or a hard shell cap/helmet?

[mstaylor]

No!

[Umpire in Chief]

Do you think that a rule will ever be instated that requires us (umpires) to wear either HSMs or a hard shell cap/helmet?

No!

I have had this conversation with a number of people. I haven't heard one person say they think there will be a mandate to go to HSM's, but many believe, including myself, that one day they will have base umpires wearing a helmet.

The day will come....

[jjb]

Never say Never, Mike

[mstaylor]

I never say never, ever! :)

[kwiggie]

Do you think that a rule will ever be instated that requires us (umpires) to wear either HSMs or a hard shell cap/helmet?

That would suck! and so would BU having to wear a lid! For that matter the fact that coaches have to wear helmets sucks! IMO

I was watching a program (some months back on one of the 24 hour news networks) that stated, "after a year long study the University of ______? was going to suggesttry to implement (in that state) that all infielders of youth baseball wear helmets and face guards to protect against concussions, and "debilitating facial injuries" as a result of fielding unpredictable bouncing balls...

IT'S BASEBALL!!!

Along with this "study" they also suggested that parentscoaches of youth soccer not allow their playerschildren to "head" the ball until rules are put in place to make such actions illegal in the game... "it may cause long term brain damage in our study".

YOUR "STUDY" GIVES ME BRAIN DAMAGE!!!! thinking about the $30,000+ grant spent on it.

Did anyone else happen to catch this story? Has anyone seen this implemented?

Edited July 16, 2009 by kwiggie
grammer

[mstaylor]

I have seen groups pushing this type of thing but not this particular stoy. They are the same types of groups that push wood bats over metal. About half the guys in my group have gone back to regular masks instead of buckets.

[alex7]

BUs with helmets on...whoa! It will be easy to raise health-propaganda stating that helmets on during double-headers in the summer is just asking for trouble for umpires in their 40s to 60s who don't get to get shaded in the dugouts every half-inning. Not that it's necessarily true, but just that liability possibility will likely keep that option from ever becoming mandated.

We already have half-helmet umpires who get woozy once in a while working the dish in the blazing sun. Can't imagine wearing anything near a full helmet on the bases, then working the plate in 90+ weather.

As for wood bats, I wouldn't mind seeing them make a comeback, even though I know it will never happen. Yet the main argument before (cost of broken wood bats) seems to make less sense now that metal bats are in the $200 to $350 range, AND they dent more easily.

Edited July 20, 2009 by alex7