Coaching boxes

[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by umpyre007
Next you know umpires will have to decide for themselves whether or not the potential for safety problems outweighs the necessity of playing a game under these circumstances. At what point then does an umpire decide to just walk away from a game like this one and refuse to umpire the game? What next; umpires being sued under the ADA because they refuse to umpire a game of this nature and therefore are discriminating against handicapped people?

I concur with your thinking here, U7. One thing does NOT preclude the other. The fact that the PIAA can't prevent Mr Oddi from participating does NOT mean the umpire should allow it despite the obvious safety grounds for doing otherwise. The law requires us to try to prevent injuries that could be foreseen by a reasonable person, as part of our Duty of Care. Our insurance coverage is predicated in an expectation that we will adopt that approach.

Bottom line? Mr Oddi would not be hobbling onto my diamond with his crutches. If he could make it there on his prosthetic limbs alone, that might be another story depending on the type of prosthesis being used. Although most of the Internet umpire world will be shocked at the prospect, I also agree with HOLDTHE when he suggests that this ruling doesn't "make a lot of sense".

Cheers,