Sunglasses in LL?

[Herb]

During a game I was coaching, the home plate umpire removed a player's sunglasses on the basis that "he couldn't see her eyes." After the game, I asked him where he came up with this rule (search as I might, I can't find any reference to this in the book, LL tips, etc.). His answer had something to do with safety and rule 9©. Anyone else ever heard of this?

[Umpire in Chief]

Never heard of this rule but it seems to come up from time to time. the only way I'd have a player remove their sunglasses is if it were the pitcher wearing them and them causing an obvious distraction, which I've never seen, but is a possibility.

[rainier]

I'm guessing he is also a football referee. There is a FED football rule that does not permit the use of colored lenses on or under a helmet. Unless it is a pitcher, I'll not say anything. And if it is a pitcher, only if the opposing coach requests it.

[BrianC14]

I'm guessing that this guy's an idiot.

[moblue]

There's one field I've called on this season where the only people in the game who don't need sunglasses are the batter, catcher, and umpire. The field is set up so that the setting sun comes down almost directly behind home plate. I think in this instance a pitcher needs them.

Also, asking a player to remove their sunglasses could become problematic because they might be prescription lenses, and you are in essence making the player's vision worse.

[willv28]

This was wrong. They can wear sunglasses if they want. The only logical reason would be if they were wearing colored sunglasses, the shinny kind and it was distracting. I wouldn't even do it then still. There's nothing that says you have to "see their eyes".

[Stan W.]

9.01c is the crutch of bad umpires.......The rules of baseball are badly written and certainly badly ordered, but they are suprisingly complete.....there is a rule for most all situations.....if the Umpire cares to study...

Loosely...rule 9.01 © of the Official Rules that states, "Each umpire has the authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules."

There is no rule support for an umpire to ask a player to remove sunglasses......some bad umpires use 9.01 c to cover things they dont like.......clapping on bases....skunk in the outfield......etc...

The one example of a proper use of 9.01c....was when Randy Johnson threw the pitch that hit the bird.....(Umpires ruled no pitch)

Heres one from the old days....

The umpires had to rely on 9.01-c on August 5, 1956 when Pueblo met Sioux City in a Western League game. Pueblo first baseman Larry Stankey hit a ball that appeared to be leaving the park in fair territory when the tights went out. After a 51-minute delay, the lights were turned on and a search began for the missing baseball that vanished into the night.

The umpires ruled it a homer as the ball did not turn up in the park. Sioux City protested the decision but withdrew it since they won the game 7-4.

Edited June 29, 2009 by Stan W.

[SNIPERBBB]

They made a change in FED rules(1-6-7 and 1-7-1 in Fed FP) this year in baseball and softball about catcher's helmets and batting helmets having 100% clear plastic shield if they choose to have one in the event of head injury. Sunglasses should not fall under this rule as they can be removed from a player without the risk of additional injury unlike a batting/catcher's helmet.

I do not see similiar changes in LL/OBR unless I am missing an update somewhere

Edited June 29, 2009 by SNIPERBBB

[jjb]

Why would I care if a player wear sunglasses, sweat bands (non-white), or batting-gloves-in-their-back-pocket? Hell, if a pitcher can throw strikes with it, I'll let him strap a live chicken to his hand...

This is one of those "well, everybody knows..." rules that no one can cite me in the book.

[MCLEOD36]

You can find him on www.dope.com

[mstaylor]

The only problem I can see is with mirrored lenses on the pitcher. There is no such rule in LL, period.

[LMSANS]

The only problem I can see is with mirrored lenses on the pitcher. There is no such rule in LL, period.

That's what I remember. Also, in softball, there is a rule that the shield (like football) that the girls (I guess guys might wear it too) wear must be clear with no tinting.

[catoblue]

The only problem I can see is with mirrored lenses on the pitcher. There is no such rule in LL, period.

Exactly - No LL rule regarding sunglasses OR that eyes must be visible. The ump in the OP was making up his own rules.

[ShinySideUp]

You can find him on www.dope.com

awwww, I clicked the link, hoping it was like www.failblog.org

For the record, it's not.

[Mr Umpire]

awwww, I clicked the link, hoping it was like www.failblog.org

For the record, it's not.

I thought about clicking it myself but didn't. I was afraid I might see myself on it. ;)

[bassfam11]

Why would I care if a player wear sunglasses, sweat bands (non-white), or batting-gloves-in-their-back-pocket? Hell, if a pitcher can throw strikes with it, I'll let him strap a live chicken to his hand...

This is one of those "well, everybody knows..." rules that no one can cite me in the book.

lmao--I'm gonna use that line!!:givebeer:

[theedeuce]

Early in our regular season this issue came up and one of my umpires made the young pitcher take his sunglasses off claiming he was violating a safety issue. When I approached my scheduled umpire about this (because of the complaints I received), his response was that every time the pitcher would deliver a pitch his sunglasses were either coming off his head or close to coming off. He felt they were presenting a distraction to the pitcher and had them removed.

In this case, I would say... Good Call...