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1): Equipment must be inside the dugout or in a dead ball area.
NF Rule 1-3-7...loose equipment, such as gloves, bats, helmets, or catcher's gear, of either team, may not be on or near the field
Penalty: If loose equipment interferes with the play, the umpire may call an out(s), award bases or return runners, based on his judgement and the circumstances concerning the play.
2) People must be inside the dugout unless authorized to be out.
NF Rule3-3-1a.
A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not leave the dugout during a live ball for an unauthorized purpose.
Penalty: At the end of playing action, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected.
Therefore, it is illegal for a coach or any player etc to sit on a bucket outside the dugout at any time. Nor may any equipment be left lying in live ball area. Umpires must be diligent to make sure these two basic rules are followed. I mention it briefly at pregame meeting with coaches as a preventative measure and so far I have never had to invoke any of the penalties listed above.
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