FED Plate Conference
 

FED RULES

1) If the head coach is at the game site, is he allowed to miss the plate conference for any reason?

2) Are captains REQUIRED to be at the plate conference, or is it at the option of the head coach?

I don't have a rule book to cite but if the HC is on site he is required to attend the plate meeting. If he fails to do so, the penalty is restriction to the dugout.

Team captains can come to the plate meeting. They are not required. I have seen PU's call for managers and team captains. I personally do not. I would be interested to hear if others call for team captains at plate meetings.

1. In general, no, FED wants the head coach present. But there might be rare exceptions: an injured player, etc. Some of those will be a reason to delay the plate meeting rather than excusing the head coach from it.

2. No.

The HC is supposed to be at the plate meeting. Discression should be used before restricting the HC. Example: he missed the bus and he called to say he is 5 minutes away - hold off.

If, however, the coach is "busy and can't attend", restrict him.

No, there are not required to attend.

Locally, whom ever comes out to the plate meeting is accepted for that game as the head coach. If I think I possibly have as assistant instead of the head coach I will double check and confirm that the person at the plate meeting will be doing the talking for that team, and no one else. I don't know if the "real" head coach has been fired, suspended and will be leaving before the first pitch (what he is doing there when he probably shouldn't be is not my business) or, if the team is training a new guy to be a head coach (summer league). In the FED book we don't care if the coach changes every game, our state associations may care but that is above my head as an official, if you say you're the head coach who am I to say any different.
Oh, and captains, I don't ask for them, have never seen any come out but if they did I'm not going to shoo them away in a FED game, and they definitely not required to attend.

Jasper

I've seen it twice in two years. Both games were the last home game of the year for the team. Why? Don't know.

Senior recognition game.

2.10.2

Note that states / local areas might deviate from this somewhat.

I think one was a JV game. :P

Radio Interview
 

I have allowed a head coach to send his assistant due to a radio station broadcasting the game wanted to interview the coach at 10 mins til. I make sure he tells me that his team is legally and properly equipped and sportsmanship is a priority.

I have had more jewelry warnings this year. What's up with that?

There, fixed that for you.

Now that this is answered and obvious, I ask simply for information only:

Our state requires that umpires check bats and hats together. In other words, both umpires check HT and then head over to VT to conduct the check. I have heard conflicting rationale. One said that it prevents one guy from getting entangled in an ugly situation, another cited the need to get it done faster and yet one more said that it is because of liability (i.e. two sets of eyes and ears to ensure that no one can say we didn't do our checks. Before I moved away, the PU checked one and the BU checked the other. if you had three man working, the BUs handled the chores. It's not that I mind, heck my season gets underway in a couple days, but it is different.

Is this the way your association/league/group handles the pregame equipment check? Any problems with a pregame equipment removal that necessitated this mechanic for you?

Thank you!

Yes, for two reasons: 1) You have an extra set of eyes for any questions; 2) You look like a team by working together.

It is all about liability since pre game checks are a complete and total ruse.I teach go through with the association mandated ritual then get on to tasks and duties that are of real importance.

Association mandated? Because if not, it is a waste of time asking these questions.Gold has escalated in value. :p