NFHS Coaches rule
 

I know I am probably in agreement here but I feel the need to vent. NFHS always thinks of their rules as "safety." I am not sure why they do not require base coaches to wear helmets. MLB, MiLB, and NCAA does. Today I agreed to do a NFHS Tourney game on the bases. I was not concerned about the coaches NOT wearing helmets. HOWEVER I became a bit concerned about the home team 1st base coach spending more time on his PDA or Blackberry than coaching his runners. I know there is nothing in the FED book about this but how can this be safe? FED has so many stupid rules that they institute based on safety yet this is acceptable? Your thoughts.

Simple: you are 1000 percent correct.

It is beyond idiotic to allow a guy to stand there fiddling with some device while in the line of fire. Ridiculous rule. One of the most ridiculous. And the helmet issue is another inexplicable oversight.

Klokard,

There IS a rule regarding PDAs/Blackberries - 3-3-1i.

If you think he's doing something other than "scorekeeping", have him show you. I wouldn't be the least bit "discreet" about challenging him on this, and I wouldn't be shy about letting him know I was pissed off - I mean "concerned for his safety" - if he were "fiddling" with his PDA while there was "live action" occurring on the field.

If you don't like what he shows you in regard to his "scorekeeping" activities, restrict him to the dugout or toss him. If he's not the head coach, get his head coach involved in the conversation. Just be sure you're on solid ground should it be subsequently challenged through your assigning or state association.

JM

As JM has pointed out, there IS a rule regarding this.

And that rule is:

3-3-1 A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall
not:

i. have any object in his possession in the coach’s box other than a stopwatch, rule book, scorebook, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or comparable electronic score-recording device which shall be used for scorekeeping purposes only

Exactly. There is little difference between a coach taking the time to keep a written scorebook and doing it electronically. Neither is ideal, but nether is illegal.

As far as FED's current lack of a helmet rule for base coaches: It has been reported that since there is no approved "coach's helmet", at least by NOCSAE, FED's attorney advised a "wait and see" position for this season rather than mandating something that could possibly fail to perform.

As noted, NCAA, MiLB and MLB have taken a different route.

Considering that the helmet that is now being worn at the college and pro level has no ear flap, it doesn't even cover the area where Coach Mike Coolbaugh was struck, causing his death.

It's the same perfunctory motion that motorcycle riders go through to comply with a helmet law they think is bunk. The little bowl on your head won't save you, but you'll be following the rule.

I'm sorry, I thought that this was in English, but I guess it's not; it's in ... wow, it is English.

I wonder why no one understood it.

FED
If the coach is in the box, not paying attention and gets drilled in the head, tough cookies - not the umpire's problem.

If the coach is messing on his PDA/Blackberry, gets drilled and you haven't checked what he was doing with his "electronic device", you could be liable!

Better to take a moment and verify that he is using the device as a game tool and remind him to pay attention for his own safety.

Ozzy:

Playing devils advocate here:

Would you take the time to remind a coach who was writing in a scorebook to pay attention for his own safety?

Let me put it to you this way, I had a coach last year who had no adult in the dugout (JV squad). He spent more time looking into the dugout than paying attention to the game (bunch of real brats in baseball uniforms). After a close call, I waited for a break in the action and mentioned to him that he really needs to keep an eye on the batter. He agreed and from that point on, he did his "correcting" with his eyes on the game.

I'd rather take a moment and avoid a problem because my family enjoy our home, as meager as it is, it's home - and a game fee is not worth losing it.

Guys carry scorebooks in the coaches box out there?

Never seen it.

Happens with First Base Coach from time to time. Not frequently, but far more often than I've seen them with PDA's.

I've seen it occasionally, but usually at the lower levels, where coaches have to be concerned with players getting so many at bats or innings in the field, and they keep track of it. I don't recall seeing a coach actually record scores in the book, but then again, I don't have their watch when I'm working a game.:rolleyes:

As someone who smacked his head on the pavement while trying to make a left turn one day, I disagree.
Full helmet. Barely moving. Spun on some gravel in the median. I was out for ten minutes, or so the people who carried me to the sidewalk told me.

You are welcome to not wear a helmet if you can also clean up your brain-splatter mess after you crash. I surmise you also don't wear a seat belt and your family won't miss you when you're gone.

Helmets are designed to decrease not prevent head injuries. They are tested to the equivelent of a five foot fall. Inertia or speed is not considered a factor. That five foot fall is reported to be the equivelent of 13MPH. That's all. Which is what the HURT study tested to and DOT requires. Study after study confirms that there is very little...less than one percent difference in head injuries between states that do and don't require helmets. I would suggest a rider safety class if you fell while not really going very fast.

And yes....HELMET LAWS SUCK :mad:

Wow, that doesn't even make sense, dude. Where did you come up with that pearl of wisdom? Did this brain injury just happen today?

I don't know why you would surmise such a thing. It's quite a leap in logic from disagreeing with helmet laws to not wearing seat belts. How does that correlate? And then to say such a thing about my family? Wow, dude. Again, did the brain injury just happen today?

Take it to the motorcycle forum.

[QUOTE]Simple as with most rules.

The helmet issue has not become an insurance problem YET. If the insurance companies say Your premium will increase by xx dollars if coaches do not wear a helmet in the coaches box

Guess what

A new rule will surface.

Amateur baseball unfortunately is governed by insurance that's why we have all these safety rules to begin with ie; the FPSR etc.

Pete Booth

Helmets are virtually indestructible. I trust them completely.

http://homerderby.com/wp-content/upl...sa-4-21-03.jpg

Looks like we lost site of my original post....What a surprise. I agree with many of the posts in that it's the coaches demise if he gets hit. I just feel that if MLB, MiLB and NCAA require it, that it would be a no brainer (no pun intended) for Fed to follow. My main concern is assistant coaches entering stats on their PDA and NOT paying attention to the game. Whether ear flaps are worn or not, whether a helmet is worn or not. PAY ATTENTION.

That being said, I will NOT wear a HSM if they become mandated for umpires. I have tried and cannot stand them. I will turn in my gear and start reffing girls soccer. Not a double standard. But in 28 years I have never had the need for a helmet. Knock on wood!!!

I too would turn in my gear. The cage I have is fine.

W Sohl, your meaning? The HSM is not a guarantee against injury. The reason for the ear flaps and associated protection for catchers is due to the fact that they are involved in plays. If as an umpire you turn your head and offer up your ears to a batted or thrown ball, that is a mechanic issue. Again, in 28 years, I have never been hit in the ears or open part of my head. The foul tip that caught Kerwin Danley and put him down was a once in a million shot and a HSM may or may not have prevented it. I don't look down on people wearing the HSM I just prefer the option of not having to. I don't even wear the added throat protector that some umpires choose to wear.

I'm agreeing with you. I don't use the HSM, I have the cage style or whatever you call it. I also wear the extra throat guard. I don't offer my ears to foul balls, I keep my focus towards the field of play and on the ball during an AB. I feel the mask that I have is plenty of protection and I am not spending the money on a HSM. If it ever becomes mandatory, I will look for another spring sport to officiate. I've always wanted a starters pistol.

Don't worry about it. Assistants are expedable

Klokard,

What would you do if FED mandated helmets not just for coaches (a la MLB, MiLb, & NCAA), but also for Base Umpires?

JM

Coach. Not sure what I would do. I can only hope it doesn't happen in my career.

Check page 1. I believe you can find it there.:rolleyes:

Did it get deleted?:confused:

I would be done. Sit on the porch and watch the grass grow.

Just curious. Who would enforce such a rule? Would the PU toss the BU if he refused? Maybe a coach or AD?

I, too, would be gone at that point.

MrUmpire,

I imagine they would just hire Larry Bowa to be commissioner of enforcement. :rolleyes:

JM