[Tim C]

Folks:

Oregon has begun an organized effort to communicate with the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee for changes in the 2009 Rules Book.

We ask your help.

Please review the request as written below. If you (and your group) agrees with it feel free to copy the information and send it through channels to the National Federation.

IF enough information is placed at the committee's disposal perhaps we can influence change.

Thanks in advance,

*****

Umpire Pregame Inspection of Equipment, Batting Helmets and Bats.
Current Rule: NFHS Rule 10-2-3a.

Rule 10 Section 2 Umpire-In-Chief

Article 3. . . His duties include those listed in Rules 10-2-1,2 and the following:

a. Inspect equipment and condition of field, receive batting order of both teams, announce special ground rules and formulate such if the two teams cannot agree, designate official scorer (9-2-2) and see that each player takes his glove and loose equipment to the bench at the end of his term in the field.

PROPOSED CHANGE:

Remove the words "equipment and".

RATIONALE:

This eliminates the need for umpires to enter the teams dugouts to inspect equipment prior to a contest.

Many times the helmets and bats are not ready for inspection (10-20 minutes) prior to pregame plate conference or game time.

It reduces the opportunity for conflicts with coaches and players.

Currently the head coaches verify at the plate conference that their players are properly equipped and in compliance with the rules.

This puts the responsibility upon the coach to be knowledgeable as to the safety of his players and equipment, as it should be.

The umpire-in-chief can still rule on the legality of equipment.

There are no conflicts with other rules or the language of those rules governing bats, helmets or defective equipment.

Equipment: Bats: Rules 1-3-2,3,4

Defective: Rule 1-5-6

Helmets: Rule 1-4-5

There are no conflicts with Pregame procedures.

Rule 1-5-10, Player Equipment: head coach shall be responsible for verifying to the umpire-in chief that all his players are equipped and in compliance with the rules. stated in Rule 2. Any questions regarding legality of a players equipment shall be resolved by the umpire- in-chief. legality of equipment.

Rule 4-1-3, Starting a game: Umpire-in-chief receives verification from the both head coaches that all participants are properly equipped...