Quote:
Originally Posted by KJUmp
Yet the NCAA philosophy on this, as stated in manual is: "Do not allow accept or allow changes you know are illegal."
They go onto say, "If a coach requests a change that you know is not legal, do not allow it to happen. If, after being told he cannot make a certain change, the coach asks what he can do, tell him-if you understand what he is trying to accomplish."
So here at the one of the higher levels, we are being directed to do just that...babysit the teams in regard to lineup management.
Doesn't make any difference to me, it's their (NCAA) rule set so I do what they tell me they want me to do. I'm always somewhat unsure has to how far I should take this philosophy (if at all) when I'm working under ASA rules.
Where is the proper spot to draw the line between preventive umpiring and "coaching/babysitting" coaches regarding lineup changes working ASA or for that matter NFHS, or any other rule sets many of us work?
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Personally, I have always used that philosophy, in every level; that it is always our responsibility to refuse to accept an illegal substutution when it is initially presented. That isn't coaching or babysitting; it is preventative officiating, and a reasonable expectation of any coach that you wouldn't accept any obvious rules violation.
But, that's just my opinion. And I do see the possibility that the PU was involved with something that took his attention; as I pointed out, a huddle of players could excuse that.
But (and I don't really know exactly how this happened), I am picturing an OC coming out and saying "Time! Blue, I have a courtesy runner, number 12 for my pitcher"; and the PU looking at his lineup, seeing it is legitimate, recording that, announcing it to the scorekeeper and the other team. And no one notices that number 12 doesn't exchange positions with the pitcher?? If that is the case, it just shouldn't happen.
Am I checking the numbers on the jerseys as they pass?? Hell no. But I am making sure they pass in that situation.