Uniform Question - FED Rules

[TNCoach]

I moved up from coaching in a middle school league under FED rules where I was generally the only coach who wore the uniform.  It was a rule that really wasn't enforced at all.

 

Now I am an assistant at the high school level.  We have a new head coach there and when we got into the uniforms, we discovered that with sizes, etc. that we were short one uniform for a coach.  I know the coaches are supposed to be in uniform, but for all the coaches to match, we would have to wear a different uniform that is similar to home jersey in color etc. but is not similar to the road jersey.  Is that a problem?  I know it may vary but I can't find anything that says specifically that a coach's jersey must 100% match the players' jerseys.  I can only find to be on the field, the coach must be wearing a uniform.  Just looking for feedback on how you all handle something like this. 

[Thunderheads]

From an umpires perspective? (Rhetorical I know, but .........)

 

As long as I can clearly identify the staff on the field or in the dugout, I'm not nit-picking that .....

[Jocko]

Coaches can wear a team color BP jacket/shirt. All coaches wearing it makes it coach uniform. Pants are mandatory as are hats.

[TNCoach]

So Jocko, the pants must match (gray pants when team is wearing gray pants/white when team is wearing white) but wearing a team color top (yellow when team wearing yellow/black when wearing black)?

[Jocko]

Yep. All coaches matching, meaning all in matching jerseys or all in matching BP tops (sleeve length notwithstanding)

[Thunderheads]

So, ...what are you going to do then they're not, ...as in TNCoach's example?

 

(honest question)

[Jocko]

Same as an out of uniform player

[noumpere]

As long as I can tell, then I don't care.  But your local area might care more so you should ask the local umpire group in TN

 

And, there is some case about this in the book or at least there used to be but I'm running out the door right now and cant look it up.

[bam]

I'm really hoping we're just talking varsity here (and even that's pushing it a bit)

[TNCoach]

According to the book, out of uniform coach can't be on the field...  Just to stretch the question a little...  Team hase white pants/black top.  Coaches have the team's yellow top/gray pants.  You not allowing them on field?

It's varsity.

[Thunderheads]

According to the book, out of uniform coach can't be on the field...  Just to stretch the question a little...  Team hase white pants/black top.  Coaches have the team's yellow top/gray pants.  You not allowing them on field?

It's varsity.

Again, I'm not nit-picking this at all!  No way.  Everyone is there to play baseball, let's play.

 

and ....

 

I agree also w/ noumpere's comment about checking locally

[scrounge]

I wouldn't get super-duper-OOO on uniforms, as long as they're close. Heck, even players don't HAVE to match exactly on uniforms. 1-4-1 says uniforms of all team members *should* - not shall, but should - be of the same color and style. If someone gets blood on a uniform and the team pulls out a JV jersey or some older style that's close but not exactly the same, I would hope none of us are going to quibble.

[Jocko]

As long as the coaches match each other, they can look foolish if they wish

I expect Varsity coaching staff to look and be as professional as they expect me to look and be. That make sense?

And the case play is 1.4.4 Situation A

*If the coaches TRY to match I'm not going to say anything. Some schools just don't have funding and coaches buy their own. They shouldn't be singled out if they attempt. But don't show up wearing jeans.*

Why is baseball the only sport that requires this? Be funny to see basketball coaches go from suit/tie to shorts/tank top

[bam]

I just read 1-4-4 A.  That's more of a "guideline" up here in the Northeast.  I'm going to start my season in about 10 days and it's going to be 40 for the first week, at least.  If I'm wearing a jacket, they can wear a jacket. 

[noumpere]

As long as the coaches match each other, they can look foolish if they wish

I expect Varsity coaching staff to look and be as professional as they expect me to look and be. That make sense?

And the case play is 1.4.4 Situation A

Thats one of the cases.  The other is case 3-2-1 Sitation E and indicates that "state associations may make reasonable accomodations that are consistent with the team uniform" and I'd certainly interpret the difference the coach asked about as being consistent and I would hope TN would as well.  (and, as always any typos in the case quote re mine. lol) 

[Jocko]

Agreed. TN, you have a case book?

I would also recommend that if your team is might possibly make the playoffs, get the uniforms and look the part.

[TNCoach]

Not a recent one. I may have one from 2010 somewhere (but I know those things change the cases).

 

I will bring it up with the head coach about the uniforms.  One problem I always ran into with uniforms before when I was the head coach at the middle school was being able to get exact matches. 

 

--  On a side note, being an assistant is much easier... A lot less headaches.

[Jocko]

Your HC signed a contract with an umpire association. Have him contct the head of that group and find out the specifics.

Case 3-2-1 Situation E : "(a) The home team's assistant coach appears in the 1B box wearing team-colored wind pants and jacket. (b) The AC appears in 1B box wearing team pants and a BP top. RULING: (a) Illegal (b) While in the box, he shall be in the uniform of his team. However, state assns may allow for reasonable accomodations that are consistent with team uniforms."

Case 3-2-1 Situation D : "During the game, the coach from team A goes onto the field to have a defensive conference. He is not wearing the team uniform. RULING: Illegal. Coaches are required to be in team uniform. If the coach is not properly attired, he cannot leave the bench/dugout unless attending to a player."

Case 1-4-4 Situation A : "Coach or player/coach wears a jacket in the coach's box. RULING: Legal"

(I left the b portion out as it pertains to players on DT)

[TNCoach]

Thanks.

[GoodOldGus]

I've always thought this rule was/is foolish.  I've never seen or heard of it being enforced in my area.  

[mstaylor]

As long as it is close, or they have BP jackets, let it go. If they don't have an uniform at all, in the dugout. Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

[Pete Peterson Sr]

I've always thought this rule was/is foolish.  I've never seen or heard of it being enforced in my area.  

 

 

 Our state expects the rule to be enforced. If the coach is wearing a team (or team-colored) pullover, that passes muster with us. Baseball pants are required.

[Rich Ives]

If a player has to change shirts during the game 3.1.6 Situation B (b ) and (c ) say it is umpire's judgement as to whether a player can wear a replacement jersey of another color. It goes on to say every effort should be made to let him play.

 

Not the discussion at hand but the idea of stopping someone from participating over shirt color is discussed and it's strongly suggested to not forbid it.

[Thunderheads]

Just another ridiculous thing FED brings up.  They pride themselves on 'safety' but want to enforce a "uniform rule"?

 

I had a JV game last year where the HC was in a jersey but black nylon running pants .... you think I'm picking that booger? NFW

[NoCal Blue]

As MSTaylor indicated, as long as there is some attempt to match .....I'm good. Local jurisdictions may highlight the issue but even in these cases, I'm not going to be a fashion consultant.