FED coach ejected (only coach)

[David Emerling]

Per rule, an ejected coach is required to leave the vicinity and have no contact with his players.

What if he was the only coach?

Can high school players be permitted to continue the game coachless?

Can a parent come forward and coach the team from the dugout? Can a school administrator who happened to be at the field coach the team from the dugout? (I say "from the dugout" because it is highly unlikely they will be in uniform.)

[bob jenkins]

Some (much) of this would depend on the state.

A parent is unlikely to meet the requirements.

A school administrator might.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Some (much) of this would depend on the state.

A parent is unlikely to meet the requirements.

A school administrator might.

That seems reasonable. However, if no adult (of any kind) steps forward - would the game be a forfeit or simply suspended? Is there any rule that specifically prohibits the players from continuing without a coach? (Which would probably go smoother)

Again - it's probably a state-by-state issue.

Thanks!

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

That seems reasonable. However, if no adult (of any kind) steps forward - would the game be a forfeit or simply suspended? Is there any rule that specifically prohibits the players from continuing without a coach? (Which would probably go smoother)

Again - it's probably a state-by-state issue.

Thanks!

It's very likely that an adult "coach" of some kind is needed. I would suspend and let the league / state deal with the rest of the consequences.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

That seems reasonable. However, if no adult (of any kind) steps forward - would the game be a forfeit or simply suspended? Is there any rule that specifically prohibits the players from continuing without a coach? (Which would probably go smoother)

Again - it's probably a state-by-state issue.

Thanks!

Umpires do not forfeit games. Umpires suspend games. Leagues / TD's forfeit games.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Umpires do not forfeit games. Umpires suspend games. Leagues / TD's forfeit games.

I'm not sure I agree with that. I imagine there can be some unclear situation that is would cause the umpire to "suspend" the game and allow higher authorities to make a final determination as to whether the game is a forfeit or a suspension.

However, I think there are several, very clear provisions in the rule book by which the umpire can categorically declare a forfeit.

(FED) How about: "A game shall be forfeited to the offended team by the umpire when a team is unable to provide at least nine players to start the game or cannot provide eight players to finish the game"?

or "A game shall be forfeited to the offended team by the umpire when a team willfully and persistently violates any of the rules after being warned by the umpire"?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

I'm not sure I agree with that. I imagine there can be some unclear situation that is would cause the umpire to "suspend" the game and allow higher authorities to make a final determination as to whether the game is a forfeit or a suspension.

However, I think there are several, very clear provisions in the rule book by which the umpire can categorically declare a forfeit.

(FED) How about: "A game shall be forfeited to the offended team by the umpire when a team is unable to provide at least nine players to start the game or cannot provide eight players to finish the game"?

or "A game shall be forfeited to the offended team by the umpire when a team willfully and persistently violates any of the rules after being warned by the umpire"?

Still suspend. Let the league confirm the forfeit.

[Mudisfun]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

Per rule, an ejected coach is required to leave the vicinity and have no contact with his players.

What if he was the only coach?

Can high school players be permitted to continue the game coachless?

Can a parent come forward and coach the team from the dugout? Can a school administrator who happened to be at the field coach the team from the dugout? (I say "from the dugout" because it is highly unlikely they will be in uniform.)

Consider that HS baseball is still a YOUTH sport. That being said there must be an adult available at all times to supervise the team. Same reasoning why an ejected player is allowed to remain in the dugout and not go wandering around due to liability unless there is another adult available to supervise them.

If I am working a game with only one coach and he is starting to run the line I might work into the conversation that if he goes the game is over due to no adult coach on site.

One of my buddies ejected a JV coach and the Varsity coach was watching. He came into the field and took over as the JV coach went away. This was perfectly acceptable since he was qualified, cleared and a employee of the field. If this was a parent I would not have allowed it as a parent would not meet the requirements.

[jTheUmp]

Here's what Minnesota has to say (emphasis mine):

Originally Posted by Minnesota State High School League

Ejection of Coach:
1. The official should approach the coach; announce the ejection to the coach and state that the coach leaves the competition area. In addition, the official must ask which coach or school representative will function as the head coach in the absence of the ejected coach. Only assistant coaches or school representatives may act in place of the coach.
2. The ejected coach shall leave the competition area and may not be seated in an area proximal to the team benches or have access to the locker room prior to the game, during the half-time or following the game (see policies under penalties).

It's not explicitly spelled out... but, if no assistant coach or school representative is available, I'm suspending the game, filing my report with the state office, and letting them handle it from there.

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

It's not explicitly spelled out... but, if no assistant coach or school representative is available, I'm suspending the game, filing my report with the state office, and letting them handle it from there.

... and I'm doing my "online rules meeting" right now, and the rules meeting says that if the head coach is ejected "there must be a certified assistant coach available to coach the team or the game is forfeited."

Not sure if the rules meeting content is meant to take the place of the officials handbook content (which I posted earlier today)... I may have to email the state and ask.