More fun with player safety...unsafe field conditions...

[SeeingEyeDog]

Last night on a turf field, play at the plate and the runner slides across a seam which runs across the top of the RH batter's box and tears a 3.5 foot gash in the turf. We called the coaches out, pointed out the situation and announced the game was suspended due to unsafe field conditions. I called in to my association's hotline and left a message about the situation with my assigner.

Here's my question...

I have a double-header on this same field tonight. Assuming the game is not moved to another field and the field is not repaired am I playing these games? I know my own answer...what say you, brothers?

~Dawg

[BLWizzRanger]

I have had the same situation on a rec field where an entire line of a batter's box was flapping and needed to be glued down and separately on a Div 1 field, during an inter-squad game, where the entire batter's box was coming up on slides into home.  In both cases, everyone acknowledged the issues and we played on.  I don't think it is any different than a hole or undulations in grass fields. Its no different than the base markers on a multi distanced turf field where the pegs are raised above ground. 

Its a risk to all involved but they wished to play through it.

[Senor Azul]

The question as to who has the authority to decide a field is fit to start a game is usually covered in the rules. For example, FED rule 4-1-1 tells us that the home coach "shall decide whether the grounds and other conditions are suitable for starting the game." 

I think in Little League both managers have to agree that the field is playable before starting. Once the the game is started though it's the umpire who has the authority to terminate the game because the field is not fit to continue play.

[UMP45]

1 hour ago, Senor Azul said:

The question as to who has the authority to decide a field is fit to start a game is usually covered in the rules. For example, FED rule 4-1-1 tells us that the home coach "shall decide whether the grounds and other conditions are suitable for starting the game." 

I think in Little League both managers have to agree that the field is playable before starting. Once the the game is started though it's the umpire who has the authority to terminate the game because the field is not fit to continue play.

That's true. Then when the lineups are exchanged and verified it's decision then.

[Jimurray]

7 hours ago, UMP45 said:

That's true. Then when the lineups are exchanged and verified it's decision then.

The game starts when the umpire says "play". I think FED says you can suspend the game once the players take the field and you say "play". Umpires have jurisdiction at lineup exchange or arrival at a field for FED but you cannot suspend a game that has not started. An old BRD I have also mentions a PBUC interp that they have to wait to suspend/postpone until the "play" call.

[The Man in Blue]

For your sake, I would say there is no conceivable way YOU could play a game on the field that YOU deemed unsafe IF no repairs have been made and nothing has changed.

Somebody else may have a different opinion of the field and allow the game to go on, even if conditions have not changed.

[BDad]

LL Rule 3.10

(a) The managers of both teams shall agree on the fitness of the playing field before the game starts...

(b) The Umpire-in-Chief shall be the sole judge as to whether and when paly shall be suspended during a game because of...unfit condition of the playing field...

LL Rule 4.01(d). As soon as the home team's batting order is handed to the Umpire-in-Chief, the umpires are in charge of the playing field and from that moment shall have sole authority to determine when a game shall be called, halted, or resumed on account of weather or the condition of the playing field.

So in LL it seems like the umpire takes control when the game starts. I've had rainy days where the coaches are raking the Field Dry like crazy in the rain and I'll call it after one batter if it's just ridiculous. YMMV.

[Jimurray]

52 minutes ago, BDad said:

LL Rule 3.10

(a) The managers of both teams shall agree on the fitness of the playing field before the game starts...

(b) The Umpire-in-Chief shall be the sole judge as to whether and when paly shall be suspended during a game because of...unfit condition of the playing field...

LL Rule 4.01(d). As soon as the home team's batting order is handed to the Umpire-in-Chief, the umpires are in charge of the playing field and from that moment shall have sole authority to determine when a game shall be called, halted, or resumed on account of weather or the condition of the playing field.

So in LL it seems like the umpire takes control when the game starts. I've had rainy days where the coaches are raking the Field Dry like crazy in the rain and I'll call it after one batter if it's just ridiculous. YMMV.

The minor question is if the game hasn’t started you can’t suspend/postpone it. I don’t think any coach that wants to get a game in will dispute that you did not have the authority if you suspended/postponed at the plate meeting but legalize requires you you say play before doing that. 

[BigBlue4u]

On 10/27/2023 at 5:12 AM, SeeingEyeDog said:

Last night on a turf field, play at the plate and the runner slides across a seam which runs across the top of the RH batter's box and tears a 3.5 foot gash in the turf. We called the coaches out, pointed out the situation and announced the game was suspended due to unsafe field conditions. I called in to my association's hotline and left a message about the situation with my assigner.

Here's my question...

I have a double-header on this same field tonight. Assuming the game is not moved to another field and the field is not repaired am I playing these games? I know my own answer...what say you, brothers?

~Dawg

If the field was ruled unsafe the night before and the game was suspended due to unsafe field conditions, what, if any, improvement was made before your doubleheader?  If the answer is "nothing," do not play the doubleheader.

[Aging_Arbiter]

I pulled up to a (local LL) game several years back.  Both coaches knew me, and came out to my truck.  I get the "Hey Bill, do you think we can get the game in today?". I explain to them that up until the plate meeting, it is completely up to them.  They ask me to walk down to the field with them and give them my opinion.  Knowing the general condition this field is in after a rain, I see that they had put significant effort into preparing the game site.  I walked down to the plate area, stepped around in (what is usually a) dirt area, and just kind of looked up at them.  I said, fellas, lets keep something in mind before I go back to my truck and get my gear on.  If I DO go get dressed, and we DO have a plate meeting, I'll be calling this game as soon as we shake hands.

They kind of looked at each other a little stunned. Both look at me and said........."Can you umpire a make up game on Saturday"?