Was I being an OOO?

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Absolutely not one umpire working HS baseball in the San Diego area, which contains approximately 90 high schools, checks bats or helmets before the game. In fact we spend as little time as possible in the dugout (just long enough to fill out pay vouchers). We don't walk the field before games either. We arrive at the prescribed time, have a plate meeting that is short, sweet, and to the point, then we play Fedlandia baseball. We ain't no "gumdrops" here either!

Does your governing body tell you that you must check the equipment prior to the game or have they given you direction not to check it? In Iowa, for instance, we've been told we must. I personally don't pick up the bats and thoroughly examine each one. I turn it to see if there are any cracks, dents, etc and to make sure there is the proper certification affixed. Some teams have 10 bats, I don't have time to go over them with a fine tooth comb.

-Josh