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Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
Well, there are cold-weather garments offered, at least by ASA. You know, things like Underarmor, long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, jackets, etc.
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The Under Armour gear is for hot weather, not cold. The lined jackets are a joke, and the closest thing ASA has towards "cold weather" gear are the long-sleeve shirts.
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Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
Actually, the SAG is nothing more than PC, BS posturing to avoid litigation, no matter how frivilous. This is something that would not factor into life if we lived in a democracy, but is almost demanded to satisfy our citizen's socialistic views and overbearing, overstepping cowardly judicial system. Of course, the latter simply being MPO.
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Oh, I agree. I was being sarcastic.
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Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
No real argument EXCEPT if you begin a game in those conditions, where do you draw the line? Since very few games involve cloth bases, there really isn't anything such as a non-slippery wet base in damp conditions. Standing water is an indicator, but it is an indicator that you waited too long. If you see standing water, that means a fair portion of the area around it is already saturated and dangerous. Take if from someone who lost a meniscus and eventually a knee to playing on a dangerous field. The sun was out and the grass was dry, but there were still areas where the infield was a bit mucky and, unfortunately, I stepped in that area. Body kept moving, my right foot, ankle and leg did not.
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I keep a very close eye on the field conditions as BU and PU. I check the bases every half inning, unless the half inning is taking a while. Then I will do subtle, periodic spot checks.
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Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
Another thing many umpires overlook is the outfield. Wet grass is just as dangerous as wet dirt, sand, clay, etc. If you walk out into the grass and as you step, a puddle rises next to your foot, that ground is saturated and probably too dangerous even with metal spikes.
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Another reason I walk the entire field before the game. During the game, I tell both coaches to inform their outfielders that if they see anything questionable during the game, they are to notify me right away. Keep in mind that I'm not dealing with children, but supposed adults. Kids' games would obviously be handled differently.
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Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
Don't get me wrong, like everyone else, I've worked through slight drizzles and mists. I don't like it, but I do it. And I've seen TDs push tournament games in questionable conditions, but I have also stopped games when I knew we had to stop in spite of what a TD had to say about it. S/he isn't the one who will be using up the $5mm liability insurance and missing time from work and family in a courtroom and being asked, "doesn't your rule book give you the ultimate decision on field conditions once the game is started?"
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A couple years ago, I caught hell from a league organizer for calling a game after two runners in a row slipped rounding 1B before the end of the top of the 1st inning. The first time, I was willing to chalk it up to the fact that he didn't have cleats on, but the second one certainly did.
Frankly, I didn't care what the league organizer had to say about it. He wasn't there, it was my call, and it's my butt in the sling if someone gets injured and decides to sue. After that, I asked my assignor to try and avoid assigning me there. I refuse to become this organizer's fall guy just because he doesn't want to adjust his schedule.