Bat Checks Eliminated

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Some of you may have had this info for a while, if so I apologize for repeating it. Another thread spoke of bat rolling and how the NFHS is asking manufacturers to come up with a tamper proof design for the future. I noted that in Illinois, we won't be doing the pre-game bat/hat check this year. Coaches will have to verify if their team is properly equipped and some of us wondered whether there would be any teeth to the change.

The 2012 NFHS Baseball preseason guide's cover story covers it. 7-4-1a will be the penalty for the batter - out or the defense can have the result of the play. However, the coach is restricted to the dugout. If it happens a second time in the same game, he is ejected. Further violations and the replacement coach gets bounced.

I see you got the same mail I did. It seemed a little early, but then again I am not thinking baseball at all right now.

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

This means that baseball now joins football and other sports where the HC needs to verify that his players are compliant. I am new to football officiating and don't work other sports; is baseball the only one that now has a penalty given to the coach for illegal equipment?

Well they already had to do that, we just had to check bats anyway. Now we do not. Great change and it matches other levels. Put the burden on the opponents to identify an illegal bat. Otherwise we should not be in the business of doing that in that case.

Also football is not the only sport that penalizes a coach. Basketball does the same for uniforms that are illegal, but in basketball that is about the only equipment that affects the game. A head band, wristband or "shooting sleeve" has no affect on the game or safety of the players. We just have players remove those items. A Uniform can affect the way the game is officiated slightly.

Peace