[tcblue13]

To be honest, I don't think anyone's moral and ethical convictions are being questioned or undermined. It seems that a lot of precautions are taken to ensure the safety of all the participants in this sport. Masks with throat protectors, helmets with facemasks, bats that won't send scorching Line drives at infielders, this is all done for safety. No one has to be a Dr. for common sense to prevail (I am not implying that anyone in the forum does not have common sense). A pregnant young woman should probably be discouraged from umpiring just like she would be from playing, (BTW are there rules that govern her playing?) Unfortunately the shuck and jive of politics (read the abortion issue) and the retarded legal system have entered into what should be a common sense decision at the local level not to let her umpire. As hard as it may be to admit, some people need to be protected from themselves.