Don't You Just Hate It When This Happens?

[MikeStrybel]

As the song goes, two for the price of one:

Long ago, I worked with a tobacco chewing guy I really respected and still admire. He had perfected the juice squirt through his front teeth and out the mask. He would turn his head and the few feet of grass behind him were always brown, though not from a lack of water. He took heat from HCs and groundscrew for years but didn't stop until he was diagnosed with tongue cancer.

I remember when the NFHS rule prohibiting tobacco and tobacco like substances was first introduced. It was a while ago and it wasn't long before an umpire dumped a kid who had a pack of Big League Chew in his pocket. The umpire claimed it was shredded and packaged like the real stuff and fit the letter of the rule. I still find it funny that bubble gum was this umpire's kryptonite.

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

I remember when the NFHS rule prohibiting tobacco and tobacco like substances was first introduced. It was a while ago and it wasn't long before an umpire dumped a kid who had a pack of Big League Chew in his pocket. The umpire claimed it was shredded and packaged like the real stuff and fit the letter of the rule. I still find it funny that bubble gum was this umpire's kryptonite.

Big League Chew is illegal. It comes in a pouch, is shredded, and even has the word "chew" in its name; obviously it is a tobacco like substance. The guy is just following the rules as written.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Big League Chew is illegal. It comes in a pouch, is shredded, and even has the word "chew" in its name; obviously it is a tobacco like substance. The guy is just following the rules as written.

I hope you're joking, or you're not sure what Mike was talking about.

Funny thing, Mike, I had a partner try to run a kid for having a can of shredded beef jerky in his back pocket that looked like a can of Skoal.

Tim.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I hope you're joking, or you're not sure what Mike was talking about.

Funny thing, Mike, I had a partner try to run a kid for having a can of shredded beef jerky in his back pocket that looked like a can of Skoal.

Tim.

I seem to recall a FED case from 15 or so years ago that indicated that FED wanted this call made.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I hope you're joking, or you're not sure what Mike was talking about.

Funny thing, Mike, I had a partner try to run a kid for having a can of shredded beef jerky in his back pocket that looked like a can of Skoal.

Tim.

Not a joke - neither by written rule nor by what FED has specifically stated. Your 2nd sentence - same thing.

Personally, I might fail to notice such a thing - but I'm certainly not going to jump on or joke about an umpire who did notice and did what we're told to do.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Not a joke - neither by written rule nor by what FED has specifically stated. Your 2nd sentence - same thing.

Personally, I might fail to notice such a thing - but I'm certainly not going to jump on or joke about an umpire who did notice and did what we're told to do.

I haven't heard this in Indiana, Mike. I'm not surprised at FED making such an anal rule, but I don't recall reading anything about bubble gum or beef jerky. I fail to see how shredded bubble gum or beef jerky are tobacco like substances. I thought the intent was to exclude tobacco like mint or herbal chew.

I apologize to Cobra.

Are there similar restrictions on bubble gum cigars and candy cigarettes?

Tim.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I haven't heard this in Indiana, Mike. I'm not surprised at FED making such an anal rule, but I don't recall reading anything about bubble gum or beef jerky. I fail to see how shredded bubble gum or beef jerky are tobacco like substances. I thought the intent was to exclude tobacco like mint or herbal chew.

I apologize to Cobra.

Are there similar restrictions on bubble gum cigars and candy cigarettes?

Tim.

There might be.

I'm pretty sure NCAA has a ban on the "tin in the pocket" -- that would apply to your beef jerky situation.

that is, it's not only the use that's banned, it's showing something that some fan might interpret at evidence of use.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

There might be.

I'm pretty sure NCAA has a ban on the "tin in the pocket" -- that would apply to your beef jerky situation.

that is, it's not only the use that's banned, it's showing something that some fan might interpret at evidence of use.

I guess I can see some reasoning behind it. That doesn't mean that I agree with it though. And I say this because the "can" dispensor/container is used now for many things other than tobacco products. My wife even uses a breath mint that comes in a similar container, and I've seen my boys with bubble gum in containters that have the same shape and size as a Kodiak or Skoal can.

Tim.

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I haven't heard this in Indiana, Mike. I'm not surprised at FED making such an anal rule, but I don't recall reading anything about bubble gum or beef jerky. I fail to see how shredded bubble gum or beef jerky are tobacco like substances. I thought the intent was to exclude tobacco like mint or herbal chew.

I apologize to Cobra.

Are there similar restrictions on bubble gum cigars and candy cigarettes?

Tim.

You cant use anything that looks like tobacco.

There is a case play (or at least used to be) where the umpire saw players using tobacco, he goes over and it turns out they are just using something that looks like tobacco and they are ejected. Shredded gum out of a pouch or a tin or jerky are made to look like tobacco

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Cobra

You cant use anything that looks like tobacco.

There is a case play (or at least used to be) where the umpire saw players using tobacco, he goes over and it turns out they are just using something that looks like tobacco and they are ejected. Shredded gum out of a pouch or a tin or jerky are made to look like tobacco

I get that, I really do. But I guess I don't see how bright pink shredded bubble gum can in any way be confused with tobacco. I'm thinking the intent is to eliminate the use of mint and herbal products that DO appear to be a tobacco product.

Tim.