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How can leagues or their umpires be held accountable in a court of law?
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Let's take a simple example: Here in NY we have a HS Lightening rule that says we have to wait 30 minutes once we see lightening (anywhere). Every time we see lightening the 30 minutes starts over.
The coach comes up to you after 15 minutes and says "Common Blue" the lightening is "way over yonder" not even close to us - let's get going I already have 2 make-up games this week alone.
You re-start the game (after waiting only 15 minutes) and GOD forbid a kid is struck by lightening and gets seriously injured.
I am not an attorney or a judge, but if the case did go to trial, you bet the attorney for the plaintiff is going to go over the Rule-book with a "fine" tooth comb and you will be "griiled" on the witness stand.
Now as to why there isn't "evidence" of many lawsuits involving officials is probably because most cases have either been settled or are still years away "on the docket" hence there is no public record. Unless you personally know of the lawsuit it's very difficult to find out exactly how many officials are involved with lawsuits.
IMO, it's Gross Negligence that can get you in trouble. Also, in the scheme of things it takes all of maybe 5 minutes to check the equipment and about 15 seconds to ask the coaches "Teams properly equipped"
Pete Booth