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Confines of the field. What is the problem here? There is no rule conflict.
For purpose of player safety, the NFHS has told its umpires that they are responsible for insuring use of safety equipment inside the fence! Though we do not have responsibility or liability for actions outside the fence, the NFHS has suggested that we be a little proactive and let a coach know when his player is not safely protected.
I have never been on a high school field that has warm-up areas (bullpen) inside the fence. I have been on fields where the players warm up out of sight (behind a dugout or utility building or where-ever.) How can I be liable for them if I cannot see them or if I am paying attention to what is going on inside the fence?
Another rule (3.6.6) requires that players and coaches not currently active on the playing surface be in either the bench/dug out area or the designated bullpen area. The coach or the school defines the bullpen, and it may be alongside the fence or behind the utility building or in the parking lot. Regardless of where it is, it is legal for players and coaches to be there during the game.
Note also that we have no authority on number of players or what they do in the bullpen. It is legal for five players to congregate in the bullpen and talk on their cell phones. If, however, they are socializing in the stands, then we can penalize them.
Of course we have to use some common sense and not penalize a player that goes to the concession building to get a drink or use the restroom even though they are violating a strict interpretation of 3.6.6.
WMB
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