uniformed players in stands

[jhcoach19]

Defensive team has two uniformed players in the stands charting pitches and clocking their pitcher. Is this allowed? I know you can't clock you opponents pitchers in uniform.

[UmpJM]

jhcoach,

 

No, it is not.

 

Have the coach put them in the dugout. 3-3-1a. 3.3.1U

 

Edited to add....

 

jh,

 

Just noticed that you had posted this in the "Collegiate" section. (I always just browse using the "new content" button.

 

The answer is (mostly) the same, but the cites are different. NCAA 5-2-f & 5-4-d.

 

As you suggest, this would be LEGAL (in NCAA) were the players not in uniform.

 

JM

[noumpere]

I find that the rule is less likely to be enforced that farther down the NCAA chain you go -- so decide how strictly your area wants it enforced for that level.

[Majordave]

I had a team in NAIA conference game doing that and video recording.  Home team complained about uniformed guys recording their pitchers.  Coach for team doing the recording explained that it was digital, was not being viewed in the dugout nor reviewed during game by anyone.  Stated that he was recording for coaching purposes later.  I asked him to get a trainer or some non-uniformed guys running the camera.  

 

That was the end of it.

[jhcoach19]

My situation was similar. Told the coach in between innings. He gave me some grief. But I guess a rat does what a rat does. 

[MidAmUmp]

Please tell me someone is bringing this to your attention and you're not looking into the stands to find this booger on your own???

[MidAmUmp]

I find that the rule is less likely to be enforced that farther down the NCAA chain you go -- so decide how strictly your area wants it enforced for that level.

Actually it's the opposite. Virtually every D1 game is televised at least on the internet. Very few teams have players in the stands.

[Majordave]

Mine was in your hometown Jason.  Local NAIA hosting conference game.  Assistant for home team asked in between halves of first inning.  I was on bases.  Spoke with visitors, changed out to non-uniform guys, game continued- no problem.  No, I was not looking for this kind of stupid trouble.

[noumpere]

 

I find that the rule is less likely to be enforced that farther down the NCAA chain you go -- so decide how strictly your area wants it enforced for that level.

Actually it's the opposite. Virtually every D1 game is televised at least on the internet. Very few teams have players in the stands.

 

Right.  And "most" D3 schools will have someone in the stands (or at least behind the backstop) and these are frequently in uniform (but might have some sort of cover over the uniform top).

[MidAmUmp]

I find that the rule is less likely to be enforced that farther down the NCAA chain you go -- so decide how strictly your area wants it enforced for that level.

Actually it's the opposite. Virtually every D1 game is televised at least on the internet. Very few teams have players in the stands.

Right. And "most" D3 schools will have someone in the stands (or at least behind the backstop) and these are frequently in uniform (but might have some sort of cover over the uniform top).

I may have misinterpreted what you wrote, but here's my ...

At the D1 level, at least in the Midwest, we don't see a lot of this for several reasons:

1) Games are at least live streamed.

2) Some schools tape hitters from the dugouts. Some tape from the press box which we never notice.

3) There are so many cameras around the field (TV Stations, Newspaper, Campus Media, Scouts, etc.) that it's hard to pick out who is who.

4) We have so much to worry about going on between the white lines and in the dugouts that we don't spend much time looking into the stands for trouble.

5) If we did spot this, most (not all) wouldn't address it unless it was brought to our attention by the opposing team. There are obvious exceptions to this, but if they're back there doing their thing and not bothering anyone, "Ain't nobody got time for that".

The point I'm making - Unless it's a major violation (something more than just sitting back there minding their own business) or the opposing team has brought it to your attention...keep your focus on the field. As I've said many times, "Call with the rule book, not by the rule book." It's there when you need it if you understand the intent.

[scrounge]

when I first saw the topic, I thought it said "uninformed players in stands"....in other news, it's Wednesday

[noumpere]

 

The point I'm making - Unless it's a major violation (something more than just sitting back there minding their own business) or the opposing team has brought it to your attention...keep your focus on the field. As I've said many times, "Call with the rule book, not by the rule book." It's there when you need it if you understand the intent.

 

 

 

I agree with all of that at all levels.

 

And, if the opposing coach brings it up, I go to the offending coach and make it clear that I'm enforcing it because the other coach is being a d*** about it (usually without using those words)

[Rich Ives]

And it's absurd that Sammy on the DL can't tape while in uniform but he can if he's in street clothes.   Who thought up that one?

 

And a D1 guy would have someone from his side taping too so why would he even complain in the first place?