Would you ignore Local Rule?

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

I couldn't possibly care. I work more games than I probably should anyway -- they can protest (like that would go anywhere) and not hire me again (except they will, cause they need umpires). I refuse to enforce rules (that are not well thought out) that I think make the game less safe for athletes. There's no possible reason to ban sunglasses on pitchers other than someone heard of a rule myth and figured it was some kind of a real rule.

Most leagues where I'm from don't exactly distribute their local rules to the umpires/officials anyway. If a coach tells me it's a local rule that the kid can't wear sunglasses, why should I believe him over the coach of the other team who wants his kid to wear them?

You would definitily not have a problem of too many games if you worked my leagues, with that pompous attitude.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jicecone

You would definitily not have a problem of too many games if you worked my leagues, with that pompous attitude.

Good thing I don't work where you live then. Or really care. One advantage of not answering to an association or a single assignor is that I can pick and choose where I want to work. I tend to avoid leagues where they try to rewrite the rule books anyway.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

Good thing I don't work where you live then. Or really care. One advantage of not answering to an association or a single assignor is that I can pick and choose where I want to work. I tend to avoid leagues where they try to rewrite the rule books anyway.

I think we all applaud you for avoiding leagues with dumb rules... however, if you've accepted an assignment, enforce their rules. I really don't care that your area is desperate for umpires - if you accept the job, do the job. To not enforce a rule (even a dumb local one) is disrespecting the profession and reflects badly on all of us.

[tibear]

After a couple of emails, as usual the coaches didn't know what they were talking about and in fact what the rules stated was that pitchers/batters ARE allowed to where sunglasses.

I guess there was so much confusion as to whether the pitchers/batters could where sunglasses that the local association specifically put in the rule that specified that sunglasses were permitted.

As usual the coaches either didn't read the document or assumed what they wanted and said that sunglasses weren't permitted.