Pitcher Warming - HS Varsity Fed Rules
 

Probably elementary but when the bullpen is in dead ball territory, pitcher is warming up, the protector (player standing behind pitcher or catcher as their back is to playing field) must wear a helmet correct??

Sorta. :D Often this safety precaution is ignored or unseen. Regardless, put a helmet on him and a glove isn't a bad idea either.

Depends. Is the dead ball territory outside the fences? If so no protector needed. If inside but in a dead ball territory then I think a protector is needed. He need not wear a helmet.

Well reason being tonight coach says rules say helmet not required at the varsity level. I had the kid get a helmet and glove of course.

NFHS Rules: Non-adult (if the player is 18, he is still going to wear a batting helmet) in your situation MUST wear a batting helmet no matter what level.

MTD, Sr.

Mark has it. A player or other non-adult must wear a helmet.

The sad thing about this rule is that there is one. Having the rule means that coaches aren't thinking about the safety of their bullpen players, or they are disregarding their safety, or they are too stump dumb to see the obvious safety issues. Or a combination of any of the three.

So we get dumped on to do what should be an obvious coaching responsibility.

Which moves a chunk of the liability for any mishap to the shoulders of the umpires officiating the game.

Fair enough since our huge bump in pay meets the risk-reward test. :rolleyes:

The kid is required to have a glove, not a helmet, when protecting those warming up in a bull pen that is in live ball territory. See NFHS 3-3-4.

Some states (here, for example) also require a helmet.

Mark:

Quote the rule. Like Bob said, this may be a state association change where you live, but the *NFHS RULES* only require a glove. The protector is supposed to be facing the plate and we don't require fielders to wear helmets, after all.

We don't require the warming up pitcher to put a helmet on, do we? I'd argue that the warming up pitcher is in just as much danger, if not more, than a person standing there with a glove whose only job is to protect the catcher/pitcher from a batted ball.

Do you actually know the rule? Or do you make sh!t up as you go?

Very true. Many states, regions, districts, sections, locales, and leagues use different rules, and even rule books, for that matter. I was simply attempting to draw the attention of a fellow Ohioan to the rule that we use. I should have qualified my remarks with the abbreviation, YMMV.

Just between you and me, Bob, I've heard that in California's San Francisco Section, the kid protecting the bull pen also has to wear a high-visibility vest that has been recently tested and proven lead- and phthalate ester-free. It's probably one more thing their umpires have to check prior to a game there. Perhaps our newest member from the CIF, fionablue08, can enlighten us all.

This is another one of those "myths." A helmet is not required by FED rules, however many local/state associations add it as a safety precaution.

Quite well.No.

RichMSN:

NFHS R1-S5-A1: It is mandatory for on-deck batters, batters, runners, retired runners, players/students in the coaches boxes as well as non-adult bat/ball shaggers to wear a batting helmet that meets the NOCSAE Standard.

MTD, Sr.

When that was added. most state interpreters said that it basically covered any non-playing player or non-adult non-player required to be in live ball territory, specifically those protecting a battery warming up.

Except that it doesn't, since a protector is specifically covered in 3-3-4. I don't consider a protector a ball shagger. To me, there is a difference.

Your state's rules may vary. In my games if there wear a helmet, fine. If not, fine.

RichMSN:

NFHS R3-S3-A4 states: Whenever team members are loosening up in an area which is not protected by a fence or other structure, another member with a glove must be positioned between them and the batter to protect them from a batted or thrown ball within the confines of the playing field. No one is to interfere with a live ball.

It seems to me that a person cannot shag balls without a glove, so if the protector must wear a glove, then it is a pretty good bet that he falls under the description of a ball shagger.

But your attitude begs the question, why are you so adamant that you would not require the protector to wear a batting helmet?

MTD, Sr.

Mark, I mean no disrespect but that does not mention players who are protecting the warm up players. They are not, by definition, on deck, batters, runners, retired players or in the coaching boxes. They are also not ball or bat shaggers. That rule doesn't support this exact scenario, unless you consider him to be a bat/ball shagger, not a protector.

I would probably do what most suggest, "Coach, can you have 24 put a helmet on while standing there?" Student athlete protection is the game in high school ball and I prefer to not be on the field when a preventable injury occurs. Your intent is correct and that rule would probably satisfy a coach or two. Eventually one will call you on it.

The requirement at 3-3-4 for a team member with a glove to protect those loosening up in an area not protected by a fence or other structure applies if the area is “within the confines of the field.”

MrUmpire, was Ohio’s state interpreter one of those?

Until I hear different from Ohio’s state interpreter, I’m with Rich. A ball shagger is one who chases after a loose and dead ball. A protector is a team member who pays attention to the action in live ball territory and defends himself and his teammates, who are loosening up within the confines of the playing field and not likely paying attention to the action in live ball territory. He uses his attention and his glove, not his helmet, to protect himself and his teammates. If he wears a helmet, fine: if not; fine.

By the way, YMMV.

Ball shagger: Runs with his back to the plate, isn't responsible for watching the flight of the ball in play, doesn't have a glove. Must wear a helmet

Protector: Faces the field, his entire job is to watch the ball and catch it if it comes near (he's basically another outfielder), wears a glove. Doesn't need a helmet (unless the state so mandates).

I'm not adamant that I'd require it. I don't require fielders to wear helmets either.

I'm an umpire, not someone who looks for every opportunity to inject personal views of safety into the game.

Which is why I don't ask. I assume that the coach knows the situations where protection is required. This is not one of them. Not where I live, anyway.

Hmm,
 

All I can tell ya is that the FED rules committee discussed having 'protectors' wear helmets and selected to NOT include them in the rule (remember, while the committee permanent chair is an umpire there are only coaches on the rules committee).

Oregon (by OSAA command) HAS INCLUDED the protectors in the helmet portion of the rule.

While not arguing whether a 'protector' should or should not be required to wear a protective helmet it appears on the surface that more-and-more states are moving towards state decreed protective helmet use.

T

And when WI requires it (if they have done so, they haven't communicated it well), you know I will be happy to enforce the rule.

Great points guys, I had the young man put it on which coach said it was not required,however, he had the young man put one on anyways. Caught me off guard since the request for the protector to wear a helmet has never been questioned, surprisingly coach knew what he was talking about.

I like to side on the side of caution, however, next time I will just ask for a protector and allow for the coach to decide whether he will wear a helmet or not. One less thing to worry about i suppose.

I think you should ask your state / local association / league, etc. whether a helmet is required there.

NFHS R1-S5-A1: It is mandatory for on-deck batters, batters, runners, retired runners, players/students in the coaches boxes as well as non-adult bat/ball shaggers to wear a batting helmet that meets the NOCSAE Standard.

Let's take the OP and apply this rule... is the person protecting the pitcher warming up a: on-deck batter NO, a batter NO, runner NO, retired runner NO, player/student IN THE COACHES BOX, NO, a non-adult BAT/BALL shagger, NO.....

Conclusion: There is NO rule which mandates a helmet being worn by the person protecting the pitcher warming up.

BTW I am certain the rule book specifically states that a helmet is not needed in this particular situation but since I am out of town I do not have access to my books...

From 2004 Interpretations:

SITUATION 11: Is a player who is not in the game allowed to warm up an outfielder between innings without wearing a batting helmet? RULING: While the ball is dead, the player is allowed to warm up an outfielder without wearing a batting helmet. By definition, the player is not considered to be a non-adult ball/bat shagger. However, a state association may mandate that any non-adult must wear a helmet while warming up a teammate.

3-3-4 covers this question for states that have not adopted more rules.

3.3.4 (2011 Case Book) says the protector must wear a glove, but not a helmet.

Illinois too.

MTD, please read this
 

MTD, I work in the same state you do, and a helmet is not required for players covering the kids warming up inside the fence. Rich is right here.

MTD,

I just saw this post, and guys covering for kids warming in the bullpen in the state where you work (I believe) is not part of this rule. Other states include them, your state does not.

But if I were a coach, I would have the protector wear a helmet always. My goal would be to keep my house when the player gets hit in the head and the parents sue.

Would you have the warming up pitcher wear a helmet, too? How about the game pitcher? And the third baseman?

And, as an umpire at your game, I would not prevent you from doing so. But, in Ohio, we umpires have no NFHS/OHSAA rule that requires youth protectors to wear a helmet.

As an aside, I have refused to change the status of the ball from dead to live while waiting for a ball shagger without a helmet to fetch a dead ball in live ball territory. Usually I can get the shagging team's attention and have the kid put on a helmet before he takes off after the ball. But, during those times when that is not possible, I simply won't put the ball in play until the shagger is "safely" back in his team's dugout (or if the shagger is one of 700 +/- girls playing baseball in California, her team's dugout.)

That adds dead time to the game. If he keeps coming out without a helmet after being duly warned, am going to find another solution to that problem, like getting rid him.

My guess is that if you delay the game the first time, it doesn't happen the second time.

The amusing thing here is that most of the protecting players spend most of the time talking to the pitcher or catcher and not paying attention to the game.

And NO, I don't go checking all the time to say something. Just an observation that I don't get involved with.