I recently saw a base umpire tell a first base coach that the coach couldn't use a stopwatch to time pitchers and catchers. The umpire stated that it was use of an electronic device. I thought that this was a stretch of what an electronic device was. I know there is a rule that prohibits the use of electronic devices. Was this umpire right? Opinions or comments?

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Never heard of this rule. Even if it exists, seems awfully nitpicky to me.

I think the intent of the rule is probably to prohbit the use of video in dugouts. I thought this was nitpicky as well. I coach softball as well and heard of story where a school was playing that had desegration students from St. Louis city going to school in the county. Late in a game a coached called for the taxis to pick up his players (this is normal procedure) and was questioned heavily by the umpires about his use of the phone. That sounds like another nitpicky situation.

I read through my rulebook and could not find any reference to electronic devices. Do you have a reference by any chance because I would be really curious to see this?

FED 3-3-1i "A coach shall not ... have any object in his posession in the coach's box other than a rule book or scorebook (which shall be used for scorekeeping purposes only)."

The umpire made a correct, but booger-picking, ruling.

On the "electronic devises" issue -- rule 3-3-1e lists a restriction on "television monitoring or replay equipment."
An interp this year extended that to a radar gun.

I do LL games. Are you aware of any such rule at that level?

I see coaches using stop watches all the time. I say nothing to them.

FED 3-3-1i "A coach shall not ... have any object in his posession in the coach's box other than a rule book or scorebook (which shall be used for scorekeeping purposes only)."


I guess that would include wedding rings, eyeglasses, a regular wristwatch, the pencil needed to write in the book, his wallet, etc. wouldn't it?

Speaking of nitpicky - here is a further question. The rule says he cannot have it in the coaches box. Does that mean it is OK if he uses it in the dugout?

LOL - While we are at it, do clothes count as an object? How about a little naked baseball?

Who's that coach? I'll sell him my old wind-up stopwatch for, let's say, $200?

Incidentally, what is the coach timing, 20 seconds between pitches? Does the coach actually think a stopwatch is going to produce a precise reading on the speed of a pitch?

Hey! Did the ump check the coach for possession of a pacemaker?

[Edited by greymule on May 8th, 2002 at 01:25 PM]

Many coaches, even at Minor "A" ball use stopwatches to time time to the plate for stealing purposes. They aren't trying to figure the speed, just how long it takes for the pitcher to get it there and how fast the catcher can get rid of it.
I only know of the prohabition in HS. This extends to PDA's. I don't think there is one in LL.

I could not find anything related to this in the LL rulebook.

So let see now we now have naked coaches, coaching our LL players. We might wanna bring back those videos just to film this.

Naked Baseball!!! HMMM

I guess we would never have to ask if their catchers are properly protected.