[AtlUmpSteve]

It is my opinion that umpires have the obligation to have illegal equipment removed if/when they become aware of it. Waiting for an appeal by the opposing team is the recipe for a possible disaster. What added liability do you imagine is there if a player becomes injured with the illegal equipment that you knew about but chose to ignore?? Even if you think it is illegal because it's a competitive advantage as opposed to illegal because it is unsafe, the key point is that you know it is illegal.

Now, IF the umpire first becomes aware of the illegal equipment as a result of an appeal, then, and only then, does the offensive option apply.