[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Gentlemen: You are missing the point. Yes we are required the officiate using the letter of the law as well as the spirit of the rule. But we do not have the authority to refuse to follow a ruling just because we do not like it. It is a player's responsibility to make sure his/her equipment is in working order. Shoe laces are the easiest things to keep tied. I am always amazed at the number of players in the 7th grade and above that are incapable of tying their shoelaces in a manner that will stayed tied for an entire game. I cannot remember the last time my shoes or my partner's shoes became untied during a game, and that applies to all of the baseball, softball, and soccer games I have officiated. It really is the coach's responsiblity to make sure that his/her players' shoes are tied correctly.