Quote:
Originally posted by kenabernathy
Our local association has decided not to take the time to check equipment before the game and to cover responsibility of all equipment being legal by using a blanket statement in pre-game when asking coaches if " all players and equipment are according to rule" I am in disagreement and need some fuel for my fire so how do other associations handle this. Reasoning is that game times in our area are so early that some officials are only 10 to 15 min. early and think it will save time. Let me here some comments
|
I umpired high school baseball in Nassau County on Long Island for six years but not during the past two seasons. I knew of no umpires who actually inspected the teams' equipment. Personally, I made it a point in the pre-game to ask the coaches if to the best of their knowledge all their players were
legally and properly equipped. I required a verbal response on their part. I'm only an umpire and not an attorney so I can't profess to be expert as to potential liability for umpires in FED who do not check. I do think it pretty hard to be the only umpire or two in your association insisting on inspecting equipment. I sure wouldn't suggest doing the opposite, being the only ones who DON'T. Umpires really should be at the field 30 minutes before game time. Otherwise you cut it much too close if there is traffic, an accident etc. Jim/NYC