FED, players out of the dugout

[SeeingEyeDog]

During warmups, prior to the start of the game, the HTM talks with my partner on the plate briefly and PU waves me in as HTM walks back to the dugout. My partner says, "HTM just informed me there is a player from the visiting team in uniform, in the stands behind home plate taking video." I casually glance over and see a player as described and say, "Ok, I indeed have a uniformed youth for the visiting team wearing #20. Check your lineup card and tell me if he has a #20 listed anywhere on the lineup card." He confirms he does so, I make a quick walk up alongside the VT's dugout and don't see another #20. (My initial thought was perhaps this was a sibling superfan family member wearing a uni to support their player albeit pants and cleats would be a bit much...)

I came back to my partner and said, "Wait for the first pitch. If he is still there, tell the HTM that all of his players need to be in the dugout unless they are batting, on-base, on-deck, in the coach's box or playing defense. Do NOT make this about him taking video. Just simply tell him his players need to be in the dugout..." (3-1i is my citation here)

First pitch, PU calls time and jogs over to speak with HTM. After a brief exchange where HTM "forgot" he had a player in the stands, he summoned the player to the dugout and the game was continued and concluded without further incident. Here's my question...

HTM never put #20 in the game. He had a notebook the entire game while on the bench. He was either writing the great American novel, finishing his homework or, I suspect, charting pitches. If he took his jersey off and put street clothes on could he be outside the dugout? Since he was on the lineup card, could he then leave the stands, put on his uniform and legally enter the game? Any other possible angles on this situation that are a concern or hypothetically could be a concern?

~Dawg 

[boyinr]

I think the rule is clear.  Can’t be in uniform. At almost all upper levels (college and milb) there are players in the stands charting pitchers, using radar, etc.  

[MadMax]

1 hour ago, boyinr said:

I think the rule is clear.  Can’t be in uniform.

In no way am I disputing this, or arguing with _you_, @boyinr… 

However, NFHS undermines their own rule(s) by allowing Coaches to add players at any time to the roster / lineup card!! These can easily, feasibly, believably, and likely be JV players, in full uniform, sitting / standing / galavanting around the backstop or school grounds. And we’re supposed to allow it! 

Am I against this (inclusion / addition) rule? Not at all! I’m all for it! What I am diametrically opposed to is holding our feet to the fire on keeping “everyone in the dugout”, with such sanctimonious condescension, like we’re some kind of deficient, inept umpire if we can’t do that on every pitch, play, and inning. 

I applaud @SeeingEyeDog on how he (you) handled it; I’m just irritated (at NFHS) that he should have to.