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

Association Mandated
 

We are required to ask the questions and work with media requests that we feel are reasonable. I still have them draw a media box for cameramen if they want to be on the field.

Is the media box in or out of play?

Out of play, by rule.

Media Box
 

We had a big bru ha (sp?) over a media box several years back. A local photographer wanted on the field for action shots and the umps told him the media box needed to be drawn before the game started. The local paper went to the state association to voice its concerns about covering the games. The state backed the umps, but a lot of ill will resulted.

Of course the state backed the umps. Rule 1-2-8:

ART. 8 . . . Media shall be prohibited from being in live-ball area. If a designated
media area is to be used, it shall be established before the game begins.
The home team or game management shall designate a lined area for the media,
which shall be considered dead-ball area.

The umpires were absolutely correct by rule. Poor media babies, didn't get their way.

Originally Posted by Simply The Best http://forum.officiating.com/images/...s/viewpost.gif
Is the media box in or out of play?
I'll restate. Robert Harrison: Are your media boxes always on the field?

From his statement:
I'm not quite sure what you're getting at.

Here, if there is media, and they want to be on (what would normally be) the field, we draw boxes (or designate an area). If they aren't on what would normally be the field, we don't care where they are or what is drawn.

Media Box
 

Normally, the media box is just beyond the dugout, inside the fence, lined up close to first base (It could be near third base dugout as well). The chalk line defines the box and a ball that hits anything in it is dead. If a ball goes through the box without touching anything it is still live and play on. Photographers are supposed to stay in the box during play.

I'm trying to remember where (it could be in The Netherlands not the US) media boxes have been moved off the playing field, no option like they are in professional ball. A "box" is setup for parents, media, whomever and they stay there.

The rule was modified to include anyone or thing that is struck that is inside the playing field (usually an overzealous photographer) to be a dead ball and players are not allowed to reach inside the "box" to make a catch or play.

Mandated by Rule and common sense.

2-10-2: "Umpires shall also ask the head coaches of the two opposing teams if their players are legally and properly equipped."

Also, I can tell you that if anyone gets hurt in a game and as a result a lawsuit is filed, this will be one of the questions asked of you - "Did you inquire of the coaches, as the rules require you do, and if so, what did they respond." If you can't answer that question properly, you may have just added your name to the list of defendants.:eek:

You bring up a good point, the head coach must be made available and it is good practice to receive their confirmation of proper equipment and sportsmanship. Maybe things have changed while I was out of the country for the past few years but I recall great debate on the site about umpire liability. I believe most felt it was urban legend for baseball umpires to be found liable for negligence while working a game. If that opinion has changed I would love to read more. Anyone know of a baseball umpire who was successfully sued for being negligent during a game?

Thanks and have a great season.

Historically, the chance of actually being found negligent is very low. There is a greater chance (and I do not know what that is) of being sued and that still costs time and money. One would be wise to try and reasonably reduce that risk whenever possible.

Quick Google search gave me this:

Sports officiating: a legal guide - Google Books

The book cites several lawsuits against umpires. And the fact that the lawsuit was not "successful" against the umpires doesn't mean that it wasn't costly. The legal fees and court costs of defending such a lawsuit (whether it has any merit or not) is the real problem,

By taking the time to recite this one quick sentence from the rulebook (and getting the appropriate response from the coaches), you have given your defense a big boost and have Covered Your Assets.

Originally Posted by Simply The Best http://forum.officiating.com/images/...s/viewpost.gif
Association mandated? Because if not, it is a waste of time asking these questions. It is all about liability since pre game checks are a complete and total ruse.We agree, the asking of coaches if their players are properly equipped blah blah is all about liability and nothing about enforcing safety. Ever see a coach cup check a catcher? Have you cup checked a catcher? Same with checking bats. Total BS, the bats they show, are they the bats they use?

Umpires have been burdened with these ridiculous tasks because they are insured for liability (payable money in lawsuits) and coaches, parents and players refuse to adhere to the most common of safety and sportsmanship practices.

As more umpires have liability insurance, the more we will see these lawsuits. :(

Admittedly, I didn't spend much time looking but I can't find a verified article about an umpire actually being found guilty for negligence. I emailed a couple friends and both said the umpire's need for liability insurnace is fear mongering.

Rain turning to snow here today. I don't think that first game will happen after all. Good luck to those of you working today.

The odds of being successfully sued are tiny but the odds of being sued are a bit better. That still costs money and for the price of NASO membership, which is a deductible expense, it is cheap peace of mind. Besides I also get several pages of fire starting material in the form of Referee magazine every month.