Plate meeting...

[urout17]

I'm assuming/hoping everyone does a plate meeting for a NFHS varsity game?  When both head coaches confirm their players equipment is good and they're not wearing jewery what do you guys do when a player does come up to bat with a cracked helmet or is wearing anything but a medical necklace/braclet?  Personally, I really have a hard time discipliing a kid (kid, hell some of these guys are 6'-5") for something like this although I know it's a rule.  I give each batter a once over when they step in the box and 9.5 times out of ten they're ok but once in awhile they will still step in with the occasional necklace. I just tell them to take it off instead of opening up a mess I don't need.  Thoughts??

 

Thanks for everyones input.

[JaxRolo]

Correct it immediately!

For jewelry make them take it off and give a warning.

[kristoffae]

Enforce the rule.  The first jewelry offense during the game results in a team warning.

[bam]

Here we go....  What constitutes jewelry?  Those crazy braided necklaces that EVERY SINGLE kid wears?  A ring?  Earring?  How about those crazy round things kids put in their earlobes to make enormous holes? 

 

If I don't see it, I don't see it. 

[UmpJM]

urout,

 

I certainly always conduct a plate conference before the game, but I have never specifically mentioned jewelry during one. I do ask the "properly and legally equipped" question and I insist on a "yes" from both coaches.

 

If I notice a kid come to bat with a cracked helmet, I instruct him to replace it and let the coach know "that one's no good".

 

If I notice a kid wearing jewelry, I instruct him to remove it and tell his coach, "Tom, I need you to make sure none of your players is wearing jewelry. Thanks."

 

I think your approach is fine (I personally do not give batters a "once over") - the only time I would make an "issue" over it is if the player gives me attitude or if it happened repeatedly.

 

bam,

 

Yes, all those things are "jewelry" under FED rules.

 

JM

[urout17]

Playing devils advocate here but isn't the plate meeting their team warning?  I was watching my kid play a few years ago when he was in HS and the PU tossed him when he stepped in the box with a necklace on which I thought was knit-picking but oh well.

 

It was funny to see the HC go off on his team in the dugout after that one.

 

Thanks guys.

[scrounge]

Here we go....  What constitutes jewelry?  Those crazy braided necklaces that EVERY SINGLE kid wears?  A ring?  Earring?  How about those crazy round things kids put in their earlobes to make enormous holes? 

 

If I don't see it, I don't see it. 

 

Is there any dispute that these are jewelry? If you don't see it, you don't see it. But if you choose not to see it....well, you saw it. You're just ignoring it.

[UmpJM]

urout,

 

That wasn't a playoff game being played at Highland Park's field by any chance, was it?

 

By rule, a warning can only be given after an actual violation. Since the rule only prohibits players who are participating in the game from wearing jewelry, and no one has participated in the game during the time of the plate conference, there cannot have been a violation. Hence, the warning is not technically valid.

 

JM

[bam]

urout,

 

I certainly always conduct a plate conference before the game, but I have never specifically mentioned jewelry during one. I do ask the "properly and legally equipped" question and I insist on a "yes" from both coaches.

 

If I notice a kid come to bat with a cracked helmet, I instruct him to replace it and let the coach know "that one's no good".

 

If I notice a kid wearing jewelry, I instruct him to remove it and tell his coach, "Tom, I need you to make sure none of your players is wearing jewelry. Thanks."

 

I think your approach is fine (I personally do not give batters a "once over") - the only time I would make an "issue" over it is if the player gives me attitude or if it happened repeatedly.

 

bam,

 

Yes, all those things are "jewelry" under FED rules.

 

JM

 

It was a rhetorical question, more than anything.  The coaches affirming that their players are properly and legally equipped is good enough for me.  So I tend not to see those fluorescent necklaces, etc.  If I get attitude, they become a bit more... apparent. 

[urout17]

UmpJM, no it wasn't Highland Park, just tossing this topic out there. 

 

I've been reading this website (and a few others) for a number of years and have never posted anything.  I sometimes get discouraged when I read about ejections that guys have and wonder how many of their issue(s) could have been resolved with a little foresight.  I also wonder how many umpires have really played the game at a higher level (college, etc...).  I've been on the umpiring end of things for going on my 17th year and love it!  I truly believe it makes me a better umpire having played and knowing what players are trying to do (or trying to get away with).  I believe some guys get so caught up in book rules (I know they're put in place for a reason) that they don't know how to work a game with a little preventive maintenance.  I'm sure a number of you have worked with someone like this.

 

Thanks

[JaxRolo]

Here we go....  What constitutes jewelry?  Those crazy braided necklaces that EVERY SINGLE kid wears?  A ring?  Earring?  How about those crazy round things kids put in their earlobes to make enormous holes? 

 

If I don't see it, I don't see it. 

 

In HS Ball all the above! Remove it!

[UmpJM]

urout,

 

I was at a regional held at HP a couple of years ago watching my nephew's team, and the PU ejected the 1st batter of the game for coming to the plate w. a necklace - hence my question.

 

I was appalled. He said he had "warned" while inspecting "bats & hats" before the game.

 

I don't believe the umpire has received a post-season assignment since.

 

JM

[JaxRolo]

 

I don't believe the umpire has received a post-season assignment since.

 

JM

 

I bet not!

[bam]

UmpJM, no it wasn't Highland Park, just tossing this topic out there. 

 

I've been reading this website (and a few others) for a number of years and have never posted anything.  I sometimes get discouraged when I read about ejections that guys have and wonder how many of their issue(s) could have been resolved with a little foresight.  I also wonder how many umpires have really played the game at a higher level (college, etc...).  I've been on the umpiring end of things for going on my 17th year and love it!  I truly believe it makes me a better umpire having played and knowing what players are trying to do (or trying to get away with).  I believe some guys get so caught up in book rules (I know they're put in place for a reason) that they don't know how to work a game with a little preventive maintenance.  I'm sure a number of you have worked with someone like this.

 

Thanks

  

I'm sick and tired of people who say umpires "get too caught up in book rules".  I WISH I had partners who knew book rules.  And that canard that umpires that "have played at higher levels" are better, is a crock, as well.  The higher the level, the less those guys actually know the rules. 

 

As far as preventive umpiring is concerned, it's my observation that it's a learned skill, and the more games you work, the better you get at it. 

 

PS - I started typing this and got called away.  I came back and all that was typed in the reply was "I'm sick and tired of people".  I thought it was funny....

 

PPS - I played "higher level" ball and I KNOW players at that level don't know the rules. 

[BigUmpire]

 

urout,

 

I certainly always conduct a plate conference before the game, but I have never specifically mentioned jewelry during one. I do ask the "properly and legally equipped" question and I insist on a "yes" from both coaches.

 

If I notice a kid come to bat with a cracked helmet, I instruct him to replace it and let the coach know "that one's no good".

 

If I notice a kid wearing jewelry, I instruct him to remove it and tell his coach, "Tom, I need you to make sure none of your players is wearing jewelry. Thanks."

 

I think your approach is fine (I personally do not give batters a "once over") - the only time I would make an "issue" over it is if the player gives me attitude or if it happened repeatedly.

 

bam,

 

Yes, all those things are "jewelry" under FED rules.

 

JM

 

It was a rhetorical question, more than anything.  The coaches affirming that their players are properly and legally equipped is good enough for me.  So I tend not to see those fluorescent necklaces, etc.  If I get attitude, they become a bit more... apparent.

Bam is correct. " If you go LOOKING for trouble you will find it OR it will find you"

[urout17]

Bam,

 

Wow, sorry to offend.  I didn't think it was a bad thing to have played.  At that time in my life that's what I was doing and it helped pay for school.  As I got older and still wanted to be in the game I saw a need for umpires so I attended classes, training sessions, etc...  I read the case and rule books often to stay up on everything and so far I think I'm not doing too bad.  Nowhere in my OP states that higher level players make better umpires. Now I know why I stay off these forums to post.

 

I'll go back to just reading now.

[UmpJM]

urout,

 

Don't pay bam any mind. He's pretty much a prick to everybody, so it's certainly nothing personal.

 

Once you "get to know him" a little, he's actually kind of a fun guy. For a prick, of course. 

 

JM

[BigUmpire]

 

urout,

 

Don't pay bam any mind. He's pretty much a prick to everybody, so it's certainly nothing personal.

 

Once you "get to know him" a little, he's actually kind of a fun guy. For a prick, of course. 

 

JM

Chief Rolo- Jaxrolo- sayes he is kind of cute too.

Get past it, he has wisdom.

[LA ump]

I had a kid who was wearing a Livestrong bracelet that my partner (PU) chose not to see. The kid slid head first into 2nd base getting that bracelet caught on the cleat of the fielder. The kid had a severe break of his wrist and our association had to hire a lawyer. Luckly the parent's didn't sue but they could have.

[BigUmpire]

 

I had a kid who was wearing a Livestrong bracelet that my partner (PU) chose not to see. The kid slid head first into 2nd base getting that bracelet caught on the cleat of the fielder. The kid had a severe break of his wrist and our association had to hire a lawyer. Luckly the parent's didn't sue but they could have.

Why didnt his parents have him remove it before he played?

[mstaylor]

Here we go....  What constitutes jewelry?  Those crazy braided necklaces that EVERY SINGLE kid wears?  A ring?  Earring?  How about those crazy round things kids put in their earlobes to make enormous holes? 

 

If I don't see it, I don't see it. 

Yes, if it didn't grow there, it isn't sweat bands, or those stupid arm bands that have plays on them, jewelry. I will tell the first one to take it off, a freebie, a second off the same team gets a formal warning. I have ejected exactly one kid for this. I am very insistent on this, it is a safety rule so enforce it. I personally don't get jewelry on a sports field so I have no problem enforcing it.

[mstaylor]

urout17, playing a higher level will help you understand the flow of the game, what the players are doing and so forth. There are guys that are book rule umpires that do not understand how to apply them, that has nothing to do with playing experience. The safety rules, kids out of the dugout, jewelry, and protector for a pitcher warming up are examples of things we have to enforce. 

[mrumpiresir]

 

I had a kid who was wearing a Livestrong bracelet that my partner (PU) chose not to see. The kid slid head first into 2nd base getting that bracelet caught on the cleat of the fielder. The kid had a severe break of his wrist and our association had to hire a lawyer. Luckly the parent's didn't sue but they could have.

Why didnt his parents have him remove it before he played?

 

You mean, like, have them take some responsibility? 

Really doesn't happen much today.

[Jimurray]

urout,

I was at a regional held at HP a couple of years ago watching my nephew's team, and the PU ejected the 1st batter of the game for coming to the plate w. a necklace - hence my question.

I was appalled. He said he had "warned" while inspecting "bats & hats" before the game.

I don't believe the umpire has received a post-season assignment since.

JM

Now I know why we got that email:

"You can't give a warning at a plate meeting, repeat, you can't give a warning at a plate meeting, repeat you can't give a warning at a plate meeting..."

Interesting FED test question or caseplay, can't remember: sub in dugout is seen wearing jewelry after previous warning. Legal until he enters the game.

[treydawgmt]

Didn't see this thread earlier, so I'm a bit late to the party.  However this is probably one of the biggest things I spend my time doing that I wish I didn't.  Jewelry and kids outside of the dugout.  In both cases I have never ejected anyone.  With jewelry at the HS level I don't say anything till I see the first person.  I tell them to take it off.  Hope everyone sees it and takes theirs off.  Second gets an official warning.  Third has only happened once, and got the coach involved, saying he MUST make sure EVERYONE has it off.  He did.  Yes, I could have ejected, maybe technically should have since there was already a warning, but saw that as nitpicking a bit too much.  Another guy would have been dumped.

At the "daddy ball" level, I do tell them at plate meeting, since I often hear, "Oh, you mean that is NOT allowed?  They do at the MLB level" or something similar.  I then follow the same guidelines as above.  (but would eject the 3rd guy probably if it ever got that far.)

 

Now on to dugouts.  So many kids sit on a bucket that is in the dugout but they are hanging outside it.  I check on a very regular basis to make sure everyone is inside the dugout.  I do this anytime I have "time" before putting it back in play.  I will make them get back in.  The first time I just say something.  Second time I warn bench.  Third and occasionally fourth time I just talk with the coach.  It's almost always a different kid.  I haven't ejected yet, though I came darn close this year.