How close do you inspect Bats ad Helmets

[JaxRolo]

Guys,

I have Umpired many HS games before but never in an official capacity. It has always been Scrimmages, Practice, fall ball type games that don't mean anything. This year I will be working real games.

I watched many regular season games and have seen umpires closely inspect equipment and some never even go in the dugout (very few).

What is the proper way to do it? Well I guess I know the answer but How do you do it?

[boyinr]

We inspect all of the helmets and bats including the catchers helmets. It is required in the Fed rule book so I do it.

I have seen a lot of junk out there at the JV and Frosh levels for helmets and every now and then you might see a cracked bat or a JR LL (-5 drop) bat creep into the dugout "somehow".

We tpically do it together just before the plate conference with one inspecting "hats" and the other inspecting "bats" Hopefully the teams know the drill and have everything lined up for you. If this is the case it goes pretty quickly and is not a big deal.

[tjthresh]

My partner and I will pick up each and every helmet and bat. With helmets, the big trouble spot is cracks on the ear flaps. You also need to make sure they have the NOSE stamp somewhere. I tossed quite a few helmets at the Fresh and JV levels last season. With bats, I run my hand over it checking for cracks and dents, look at the end cap, find the -3, and the certification stamp. On a side note, I take this time to glance at the players for jewelry as well.

[Chance]

Considering its stated in the book that each helmet must have the NOCSAE stamp. As well as the warning statement, either in sticker or embossed form. I look at all equipment with the thought of saftey in mind. If I just walk through and glance at everything and then later in the game a kid gets nailed in the helmet and goes down, only to find out that his helmet was missing padding on the inside, I have to live with that and the fact that I deemed that helmet ok to be used. Helmets are the worst as most schools provide them and they are not new every year due to budget. Or in most cases JV will get the leftovers from varsity the year before. They are drug in a bag, thrown and sometimes slammed around causing the ear flaps to crack or padding to come loose. The best way to check a helmet is to hold it at the ear flaps like your about to put it on and flex it. Most cracks will be right at where the brim and ear flap meet. Also pay close attention to bats as I notice more players wrapping the handle with tape until it is flush with the knob, which is illegal. Just remember that checking equipment is not an action of over umpiring. Its simply a saftey issue. Even if the coach says " the umpiries last game didnt throw it out and let us play with it." Your the umpire for this game and if you deem it illegal then its illegal.

[semper_fi_72]

100% Inspection for Regular Season Games.

[Umpire in Chief]

NCAA got rid of the going into the dugout and inspecting bats etc... I only hope FED follows suit. A dugout is no place for an umpire. You are in their territory asking for comments, questions and more. I think searching is ridiculous. We do our check 15 min till all is fine but somehow that illegal bat found its way into the dugout and escaped inspection. This is an exercise in futility.

Another situation and I've seen it. Where a player strikes out and slings his helmet in disgust at himself all while contained in the dugout. He comes up and you notice one of those white/discolored starbursts/rings or even a crack. You're not going to let him play with that. Yet it was perfectly fine before the game when you looked at it.

Bats become broken/unusable during the course of a game too. It's up to us as umpires to recognize this as they come up, know what a broken bat sounds like when it hits the ball. This past year I removed more equipment from games than all prior years combined including masks, helmets and bats. Remove them as you find them. Was the bat cracked before the kid came up to bat, who knows . All seemed fine as he approached the plate for all I know it was that pitch which broke the bat.

Now I also know first hand not all broken bats will make that broken bat sound. Last season I gave myself one heck of a cut off of a bat. I grabed the bat to clear the area for the runner coming in and as I tossed the bat to the back stop it sliced my finger. I had to yell to the on-deck batter who was picking up the bat to leave it for me. After the play sure enough I picked it up again and sure enough it had a split forming just above the grip.

I think the best solution is to have this fall under the "are your players legally and safely equipped?" Now the responsibility is on them exclusively as it should be. The umpire can then address the issue as the batter comes up take a look at him, his bat and helmet. Ask to see it if you need to.

[JaxRolo]

NCAA got rid of the going into the dugout and inspecting bats etc... I only hope FED follows suit. A dugout is no place for an umpire. You are in their territory asking for comments, questions and more. I think searching is ridiculous. We do our check 15 min till all is fine but somehow that illegal bat found its way into the dugout and escaped inspection. This is an exercise in futility.

Another situation and I've seen it. Where a player strikes out and slings his helmet in disgust at himself all while contained in the dugout. He comes up and you notice one of those white/discolored starbursts/rings or even a crack. You're not going to let him play with that. Yet it was perfectly fine before the game when you looked at it.

Bats become broken/unusable during the course of a game too. It's up to us as umpires to recognize this as they come up, know what a broken bat sounds like when it hits the ball. This past year I removed more equipment from games than all prior years combined including masks, helmets and bats. Remove them as you find them. Was the bat cracked before the kid came up to bat, who knows . All seemed fine as he approached the plate for all I know it was that pitch which broke the bat.

Now I also know first hand not all broken bats will make that broken bat sound. Last season I gave myself one heck of a cut off of a bat. I grabed the bat to clear the area for the runner coming in and as I tossed the bat to the back stop it sliced my finger. I had to yell to the on-deck batter who was picking up the bat to leave it for me. After the play sure enough I picked it up again and sure enough it had a split forming just above the grip.

I think the best solution is to have this fall under the "are your players legally and safely equipped?" Now the responsibility is on them exclusively as it should be. The umpire can then address the issue as the batter comes up take a look at him, his bat and helmet. Ask to see it if you need to.

I have to agree with all you said. It doesn't make to much sense for an Umpire to be digging around the dugout.

If someone is going to use an illegal bat they are not going to put it out until after the bat check anyway.

If we are asking if they are "legally equipped" then we should be covered!

[tjthresh]

NCAA got rid of the going into the dugout and inspecting bats etc... I only hope FED follows suit. A dugout is no place for an umpire. You are in their territory asking for comments, questions and more. I think searching is ridiculous. We do our check 15 min till all is fine but somehow that illegal bat found its way into the dugout and escaped inspection. This is an exercise in futility.

Another situation and I've seen it. Where a player strikes out and slings his helmet in disgust at himself all while contained in the dugout. He comes up and you notice one of those white/discolored starbursts/rings or even a crack. You're not going to let him play with that. Yet it was perfectly fine before the game when you looked at it.

Bats become broken/unusable during the course of a game too. It's up to us as umpires to recognize this as they come up, know what a broken bat sounds like when it hits the ball. This past year I removed more equipment from games than all prior years combined including masks, helmets and bats. Remove them as you find them. Was the bat cracked before the kid came up to bat, who knows . All seemed fine as he approached the plate for all I know it was that pitch which broke the bat.

Now I also know first hand not all broken bats will make that broken bat sound. Last season I gave myself one heck of a cut off of a bat. I grabed the bat to clear the area for the runner coming in and as I tossed the bat to the back stop it sliced my finger. I had to yell to the on-deck batter who was picking up the bat to leave it for me. After the play sure enough I picked it up again and sure enough it had a split forming just above the grip.

I think the best solution is to have this fall under the "are your players legally and safely equipped?" Now the responsibility is on them exclusively as it should be. The umpire can then address the issue as the batter comes up take a look at him, his bat and helmet. Ask to see it if you need to.

I have to agree with all you said. It doesn't make to much sense for an Umpire to be digging around the dugout.

If someone is going to use an illegal bat they are not going to put it out until after the bat check anyway.

If we are asking if they are "legally equipped" then we should be covered!

Because of course we are memorizing every piece of equipment that we look at.

[hckyosgood30]

NCAA got rid of the going into the dugout and inspecting bats etc... I only hope FED follows suit. A dugout is no place for an umpire. You are in their territory asking for comments, questions and more. I think searching is ridiculous. We do our check 15 min till all is fine but somehow that illegal bat found its way into the dugout and escaped inspection. This is an exercise in futility.

Another situation and I've seen it. Where a player strikes out and slings his helmet in disgust at himself all while contained in the dugout. He comes up and you notice one of those white/discolored starbursts/rings or even a crack. You're not going to let him play with that. Yet it was perfectly fine before the game when you looked at it.

Bats become broken/unusable during the course of a game too. It's up to us as umpires to recognize this as they come up, know what a broken bat sounds like when it hits the ball. This past year I removed more equipment from games than all prior years combined including masks, helmets and bats. Remove them as you find them. Was the bat cracked before the kid came up to bat, who knows . All seemed fine as he approached the plate for all I know it was that pitch which broke the bat.

Now I also know first hand not all broken bats will make that broken bat sound. Last season I gave myself one heck of a cut off of a bat. I grabed the bat to clear the area for the runner coming in and as I tossed the bat to the back stop it sliced my finger. I had to yell to the on-deck batter who was picking up the bat to leave it for me. After the play sure enough I picked it up again and sure enough it had a split forming just above the grip.

I think the best solution is to have this fall under the "are your players legally and safely equipped?" Now the responsibility is on them exclusively as it should be. The umpire can then address the issue as the batter comes up take a look at him, his bat and helmet. Ask to see it if you need to.

I have to agree with all you said. It doesn't make to much sense for an Umpire to be digging around the dugout.

If someone is going to use an illegal bat they are not going to put it out until after the bat check anyway.

If we are asking if they are "legally equipped" then we should be covered!

Because of course we are memorizing every piece of equipment that we look at.

I do, also if i throw out a helmet or bat i look for the little details and note it, if it does come up in a game. Saved my a$$ a few times. One time I had 2 brothers try to bring up the same bat 2 times and a broken helmet 3 times. After they got caught the first time you'd think they'd learn.

Also I agree with Warren that I wish Fed would get on the same page as NCAA, however I don't think this a mission in futility. I've caught many bats and hats over the years. Also if you throw one out of the game and show a knowledge of equipment then its less likely they'll try to bring something out later. I had a team this last year that i threw out the same bat 3 times on 3 different games. Come to playoff time i walk on the field the coach tells little johnny to put his bat away before I even check it. lol glad to see he's learning.

[Umpire in Chief]

Oh you will definitely find a few a year, but the majority you will find when they come up.

[BigZigBlue]

I agree with all but its gonna be a pain knowing all the bats that are illegal the list is pretty long....let them play with wooden bats.

[hckyosgood30]

Warren, whats your definition of a "few"? Last season for HS I had 44 games from march to may. I found 31 illegal bats that i throw out. I would like to think that's before I deter guys from trying once they see that they can't get away with it. For me I'm at the field an hour early anyway. So for me to take 5 min to walk through the gear that has been brought out of the dug out and laid out for me. I don't go into the dug outs. I always ask when i go get the paper work and balls to rub up for the gear to be brought out. As long as FED requires it. I'll continue to do it.

[mstaylor]

With all the mess with the bats this year and next, checking is going to be important. Helmets should be checked for cracks with the fkex test as noted above. The only problem I find is certain teams like to swing in the cage just about when I would like to be checking equipment and half of the stuff isn't in the dugout.

[Majordave]

I should say at the outset that I am a little crazy and fear no coach or assistant coach, a couple of mom's I have crossed paths scare me a little bit though...... (grin).

I touch and look at every helmet. If I find a crack in the earflap area I will rip the helmet in half or at least make the rip big enough to insure the helmet is not used. I have done this 6 or 7 times now as I found that when I would ask a helmet not be used for cracks I would inevitably notice them back in the game at some point. Ripping them insures they will never be used in a game again.

I only got crap about it one time, from a mother, at a little league "all-star" tournament. The players are usually suitably impressed that I can and would rip a helmet apart like that.

With bats I actually touch each bat and run my hand loosely down the bat from tip of the barrel, feeling for loose end cap, all the way to the knob, feeling for cracks and dents. And of course, looking for the BESR stamp/tag/engraving, etc. on each one.

I ask beforehand, usually when I first arrive at the school/field and let someone from the home team know I am there, that the bats and helmets should be lined up in front of the dugout or leaned against the fencing in front of the dugout for umpire pre-game inspection. I also tell them that I will not be entering anyone's dugout at any point before or during the game.

Of course after a few years in the same two HS regions the coaches and players get to know me and try to accomodate without my even asking. I try to be all business before the game. No chit chat with coaches, players and fans. I am there to "work" a game. Players "play" and hopefully, coaches "coach" and fans, "cheer". I am always shooting for a complete 7 innings in less than 2 hours from first pitch to last. Set the tone early.

I admit that the ripping of the helmets is a little bit much but there were just too many situations and instances of a helmet I had "removed" before the game wind up on someone's head in the batter's box during the game. This way I don't have to eject anyone later or worse........someone get injured due to a defective piece of equipment which, of course, would wind up being my fault.

My two cents. Your mileage may vary.

[hckyosgood30]

I know several guys who did the same thing, making a bigger rip in the helmet. However a few years ago an umpire in our unit, did this and ripped the crack in half to the point where the ear piece was about to come off. The coach as and fans where beside themselves. The helmet was from a kid who had died in a car accident earlier that year. And his little brother who's the bat boy came to every home game and wore his bros helmet and would bring the umpires water and balls etc. Before we go any further this helmet was inside the dugout on the shelf where it always was. It didn't come out with all the other helmets to be inspected outside of the dugout. The umpire "hunt and pecked" and found it, and before he knew what happened he had a **** storm and the school was asking our unit to dismiss him.

I know that this is an extreme situation however you never know. So ask for the gear to be brought out. And if you see anything else inside ask about it, don't be a bull in the china shop. This is why I just make notes, inform the coach and tell the player directly that were not using this one today sorry. I've never really had a problem with it. Yes there are a few times gear has come back out but you note it, and when you catch it again the coach will take care of it really quick and you look like a rock not an a$$.

just my $0.02

[Umpire in Chief]

I like the advice of having the managers set them outside the dugout before the game. That makes it somewhat better, but I'm still not a fan...

[TX-UIC]

I touch and look at every helmet. If I find a crack in the earflap area I will rip the helmet in half or at least make the rip big enough to insure the helmet is not used. I have done this 6 or 7 times now as I found that when I would ask a helmet not be used for cracks I would inevitably notice them back in the game at some point. Ripping them insures they will never be used in a game again.

First.... The helmet and bat you are checking is NOT your property, you have no right or foundation within the rules to destroy it. It is someone else's property. If you find a bat or hat that needs to be taken out of the mix.... keep it to the side and give it directly to the HEAD COACH and tell him why you are taking this equipment out of the game... just like a pitchers glove that has white on it... let the player or coach take a sharpie to it if they want. Your only responsibly is to take the equipment out of the game...

I never go in the dugout if I can avoid it... let them bring the "hats and bats" to you outside.... DON"T go fishing inside the dugout or even worse DON't go in someones (players or coaches) bags. All of a sudden "Johnny" says that $20 is missing or you find something that you don't want to know about. It is not your place to hunt and fish in the dugout or in bags. I ask for them to bring them out to us and we inspect them at that point, if it is not presented to us we don't check it and we deal with it during the game if it comes up.

Final note... check the bats visually B4 you run your hand up and down the barrel for flat spots... if the bat is split or cracked you can avoid a aluminum splinter or gash on your fingers or hand...

[mstaylor]

I usually give it to the manager to set aside but one Easter tournament I set it aside myself because the manager was in the bullpen. I told everyone and the coach it was cracked. Sure enough it came up on the head of a batter. I sent him back and told the manager why. The second time it came up, I tossed it over the backstop over towards a woods. I told them to leave it there so I could see it. Not my best game management moment but it got the point accross.

[TX-UIC]

I usually give it to the manager to set aside but one Easter tournament I set it aside myself because the manager was in the bullpen. I told everyone and the coach it was cracked. Sure enough it came up on the head of a batter. I sent him back and told the manager why. The second time it came up, I tossed it over the backstop over towards a woods. I told them to leave it there so I could see it. Not my best game management moment but it got the point accross.

I've not really had a problem once it is out... I do watch though... I often thought about restricting the assistant first base coach if it happens... now that would be funny!

[Umpire in Chief]

I've heard of a person who placed bad equipment in the opposing teams dugout.

[yawetag]

I've heard of a person who placed bad equipment in the opposing teams dugout.

That's great. Let's let a kid on that side get in trouble for using their helmet or bat.

If Fed really cared about us keeping track of the helmets or bats, they'd have us mark with a wet-erase marker each helmet and bat that pass. However, the onus is on the coach once we find it; we just penalize as needed.

[Forest Ump]

Guys,

I have Umpired many HS games before but never in an official capacity. It has always been Scrimmages, Practice, fall ball type games that don't mean anything. This year I will be working real games.

I watched many regular season games and have seen umpires closely inspect equipment and some never even go in the dugout (very few).

What is the proper way to do it? Well I guess I know the answer but How do you do it?

Hey Jax...Congratulations on moving up into the HS ranks. Your HS association will go over the procedure for checking helmets and bats. Do what your group says and not what internet umpires do. The majority of what has been written in this thread is good but some of it is not. Always do what your group says to do. Our group says to always check bats and helmets 15 minutes before the game. Our group says that both umpires go to each dugout together. There are rules in place for when a player enters the box with illegal equipment.

PS My grandparents use to live off of San Jose Drive a block from the river.

[JaxRolo]

Guys,

I have Umpired many HS games before but never in an official capacity. It has always been Scrimmages, Practice, fall ball type games that don't mean anything. This year I will be working real games.

I watched many regular season games and have seen umpires closely inspect equipment and some never even go in the dugout (very few).

What is the proper way to do it? Well I guess I know the answer but How do you do it?

Hey Jax...Congratulations on moving up into the HS ranks. Your HS association will go over the procedure for checking helmets and bats. Do what your group says and not what internet umpires do. The majority of what has been written in this thread is good but some of it is not. Always do what your group says to do. Our group says to always check bats and helmets 15 minutes before the game. Our group says that both umpires go to each dugout together. There are rules in place for when a player enters the box with illegal equipment.

PS My grandparents use to live off of San Jose Drive a block from the river.

Our association says to do it 10 min before game. But Did.t say how to do it. I will ask at the next meeting.

I'm only a couple miles from San Jose.

[TX-UIC]

10 min... plenty of time... plate meeting right after...Play!

[Jeff C.]

My association requires that both umpires check the equipment together. CYA type of thing. I check each helmet and bat. Had one team last year where I picked out 4 of their 8 helmets. I haven't ran into any coach yet that gives me hassle when I pick out a helmet. I haven't found an illegal bat yet. I actually had a kid arrive in the box in the first inning, hand me a bat and say "Here sir, you missed this." I checked it and we went about our business.