Palm Pilots on the field

[runningwild]

Can ythe first base coach use a palm pilot while coaching first base in American legion baseball?

[3appleshigh]

Can he still say Turn Left??

LOL

[UmpJM]

runningwild,

The American Legion rules do not specifically address the question.

AL plays under (slightly modified) OBR. The OBR rules do not specifically address the question either. However, the MLBUM explicitly prohibits "electronic equipment" in the dugout or on the field of play. While not specifically addressed, I would guess that PDAs would fall under this proscription. Maybe not.

The only rule code I am familiar with that does address the question is FED, which explicitly permits a base coach to have a PDA while in the coaching box. While AL used to grant local leagues the option of playing under FED rules prior to National Tournament play, it is my understanding that they no longer do.

JM

[Forest Ump]

I was doing a Pony game as PU earlier in the season. I hear a cell phone go off and I look down the first base line and the coach is talking away. I let it go for a couple of pitches but I'm keeping my eye on the guy. He's looking down at the ground and talking. His head is completely out of the game as he is talking. I called time and start walking towards him. I signal with my right hand a phone to my ear and shake my head no (new mechanic maybe). I tell the guy to put the phone away and he says a few more things and hangs up. He says "Is that a new rule?” I said it ought to be but the reason I did it is because I didn't want to see you get clobbered by a line drive in the noggin. After that, I started using "no cell phones" during my plate conference.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by runningwild

Can ythe first base coach use a palm pilot while coaching first base in American legion baseball?

Is he using it as his scorebook?

If so, would you ban a scorebook? Probably not.

The information age is ahead of the rulesmakers.

[nickrego]

If it's not connected to a Bullhorn, let it go.