3.6.10 Situation A: During the game it is brought to the attention of the plate umpire that the third-base coach of Team B has a cell phone or pager in her possession while in the coach's box. When the plate umpire inquires with the third-base coach, the coach responds that she is a doctor and has the device for medical response reasons only. Is this legal?
Ruling: Yes, since the communication device is not used for coaching purposes, it is legal. (8-6-13)
I don't read that "ruling" as concluding that the cell phone is legal because "the coach provided a valid reason". It is legal because it is not being used for coaching purposes. And it certainly doesn't equate to an outright ban.
But, then again, this would not be the first poorly worded or ambiguous Case Play in the history of softball!
