"FED Legal" Baseballs

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by DG

When this rule came out we were told in our assoc meeting not to play without the correct baseballs. And so, it has not happened.

Same here in L.A.'s association, but the S.F. Valley assn. made no such edict.

When the rule came out, I bought two cases of NFHS Diamond baseballs, and I just carry them around. I had one school that had "official league" baseballs without the stamp. I just had them swap them out for six of mine with the stamp. Otherwise, if my unit didn't voice the must-have-the-stamp edict, then I would be the if-they're-hardballs-let's-play type of umpire. So in order to ensure that I can allow every game to be played, I bring my own.

Originally Posted by Ump153

Depends if you are tight-a$$ed, black and white, anal rules book umpire, or an intelligent umpire.

I'd play the game. The TABAWARBU would probably enforce the rule. Sad.

So you don't have to be a "tight-@ssed, black and white, anal, rules book umpire," or an unintelligent umpire to enforce the rule plus written and spoken edict, you would merely be following the wishes of the guy who assigns all of the games for three different associations. I would say that's a sign of intelligence to do things his way.

Now, to avoid being a tight-@ssed, anal (the very same thing), black & white, by-the-book umpire on something so trivial, I bring my own baseballs.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

Same here in L.A.'s association, but the S.F. Valley assn. made no such edict.

When the rule came out, I bought two cases of NFHS Diamond baseballs, and I just carry them around. I had one school that had "official league" baseballs without the stamp. I just had them swap them out for six of mine with the stamp. Otherwise, if my unit didn't voice the must-have-the-stamp edict, then I would be the if-they're-hardballs-let's-play type of umpire. So in order to ensure that I can allow every game to be played, I bring my own.

So you don't have to be a "tight-@ssed, black and white, anal, rules book umpire," or an unintelligent umpire to enforce the rule plus written and spoken edict, you would merely be following the wishes of the guy who assigns all of the games for three different associations. I would say that's a sign of intelligence to do things his way.

Now, to avoid being a tight-@ssed, anal (the very same thing), black & white, by-the-book umpire on something so trivial, I bring my own baseballs.

So that I don't put words in your mouth (I hate when others do that) tell me, if you had no baseballs, and the balls the teams had were equal to, or better (not difficult) than the FED approved balls, but did not have the FED mark on them, would you refuse to work the game, thus sending the visiting team back on their bus and home?

[DG]

What is so hard? The home team showed up with legal uniforms, legal bats, legal lines on the field. Why not baseballs?

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by DG

What is so hard? The home team showed up with legal uniforms, legal bats, legal lines on the field. Why not baseballs?

Legal bats and legal balls are not equal requirments. Legal lines? Have you never called a game on field that was not lined? Really? Batter's boxes in every game?

[DG]

Originally Posted by Ump153

Legal bats and legal balls are not equal requirments. Legal lines? Have you never called a game on field that was not lined? Really? Batter's boxes in every game?

You must umpire where rules are not followed. In my area, HS game fields are lined, and balls are legal.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by DG

You must umpire where rules are not followed. In my area, HS game fields are lined, and balls are legal.

The adult baseball leagues here use local HS and college fields, and 95% of them feature no foul lines in the infield and 90% have no lines on the outfield grass (some are painted on fortunately). If it's not HS season, you get the fields as-is.

[DG]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

The adult baseball leagues here use local HS and college fields, and 95% of them feature no foul lines in the infield and 90% have no lines on the outfield grass (some are painted on fortunately). If it's not HS season, you get the fields as-is.

For a legit HS game under FED rules the coaches know the rules about baseballs and lines on the field. I thought that was the jist of the original post. For adult/summer/youth ball, any reasonable ball supplied is good to go, and lines on the field are nice, but not mandatory. Most supply foul lines, but batter and coach boxes are optional.

For HS games, legal balls, and lines on the field, including batter and coaches boxes are required.

[Tim C]

The Oregon School Activities Association really helps officials in the State of Oregon.

The OSAA wants officials to call RULES and not be involved in administrative rulings in sports.

They have specifically told umpires not to worry about certification stamps on baseballs. The OSAA is smart enough to know that the NFHS simply charges for the logo and uses it as a revenue stream.

The OSAA wants to be "informed" of administrative issues in sports and THEY will deal with it.

Administrative items include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) Illegal Uniforms
2) Players or coaches participating in a game where they should be sitting out because of a previous ejection,
3) Players participating in too many quaters (halves) on any given day,
4) Equipment bearing NFHS logos,
5) Pitchers throwing in too many innings in a time frame,
6) Teams demanding that they are using a 10 run mercy rule (illegal in Oregon).

Ciao

[Ump153]

Tim,

You have no idea how intelligent OSAA is until you move out of the state. Especially if you move south.

[Tim C]

"I crease my caps . . . "

I cannot think of any "style" issue I hate more than creased caps.

A crease NEVER appeared in any of my caps.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Nor did any of my dozens and dozens of caps have one. I even have a couple of uncreased black six-stitches to wear when I am doing a game where it doesn't matter.

But just about every high school and college evaluator and assignor down here wants a crease. (One of them nicks you if your shirt's too baggy, or if you don't wear your belt buckle lined up with the gig line.)

But when that changes, so will my caps. And the creased ones will be in the garage along with all my other treasured souvenirs. ("Check this cap out, son; it's from back in the day when they made all us umpires crease our caps.")

[RPatrino]

Kevin is going to do what he has to do based on the requirements of his association. We all know that appearance is important, but the bottom line is the product we deliver to our customers. We all know that the coaches really don't care what an umpire looks like (within reason) as long as they are competent and hustle. The appearance thing is totally on us. I have shown up to see friends work games, and their partners flaked and they were working solo, the coaches saw me and asked me to help out, in street clothes.

Two umpires of equal ability, one looks good, the other looks bad, I pick the guy who is suited up properly. So do the rest of us.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I cannot think of any "style" issue I hate more than creased caps.

A crease NEVER appeared in any of my caps.

All pro umpires crease their caps, every good umpire I've worked with has creased their caps, I have always creased my caps, even all my regular baseball-style caps for off field use. I was told many years ago that you look like you are going fox hunting if you wear your hat like Elmer Fudd, without a crease in the crown. Even Ed Montague creases his beanie.

I cannot think of many "style" issues I hate more than uncreased hats.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by sandiegosteve

all pro umpires crease their caps, every good umpire i've worked with has creased their caps, i have always creased my caps, even all my regular baseball-style caps for off field use. I was told many years ago that you look like you are going fox hunting if you wear your hat like elmer fudd, without a crease in the crown. Even ed montague creases his beanie.

I cannot think of many "style" issues i hate more than uncreased hats.

... :d

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I was told many years ago that you look like you are going fox hunting if you wear your hat like Elmer Fudd, without a crease in the crown.

I cannot think of many "style" issues I hate more than uncreased hats.

I was told many moons ago that a crease in any hat makes you look like a redneck.

BTW-Elmer Fudd was hunting wabbits.