Pitcher Warming - HS Varsity Fed Rules

[JFlores]

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??

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by JFlores

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

[DG]

Originally Posted by JFlores

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??

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.

[JFlores]

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.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

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.

[MrUmpire]

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

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by JFlores

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.

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.

[rcaverly]

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.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by rcaverly

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.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

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:

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.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

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

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

[rcaverly]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

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

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.

[pastordoug]

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.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Do you actually know the rule?

Quite well.

Or do you make sh!t up as you go?

No.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

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.

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.