Would you ignore Local Rule?

[tibear]

Umpiring a game last night where teams were starting to get annoyed with other and one team complained that the opposing pitcher was wearing sunglasses.

The local association has made a rule that batters and pitchers cannot wear sunglasses. (Not sure why because it's nowhere in the rulebook.)

The orientation of the field is such that the pitcher was going to basically look right into the sun to pitch. Would you enforce the local rule even if you felt that it was a safety issue?

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by tibear

Umpiring a game last night where teams were starting to get annoyed with other and one team complained that the opposing pitcher was wearing sunglasses.

The local association has made a rule that batters and pitchers cannot wear sunglasses. (Not sure why because it's nowhere in the rulebook.)

The orientation of the field is such that the pitcher was going to basically look right into the sun to pitch. Would you enforce the local rule even if you felt that it was a safety issue?

When you accept an assignment, you are agreeing to enforce the local rules, however dumb you may feel they are.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

When you accept an assignment, you are agreeing to enforce the local rules, however dumb you may feel they are.

I wouldn't enforce this one.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

I wouldn't enforce this one.

Then don't accept the assignment. As Eastshire said, "When you accept an assignment, you are agreeing to enforce the local rules."

[Rich]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Then don't accept the assignment. As Eastshire said, "When you accept an assignment, you are agreeing to enforce the local rules."

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?

[Eastshire]

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?

In that case it shouldn't be too hard for you to find something to replace this assignment with. But don't be that guy who comes in and makes up his own rules as he goes along.

[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.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

I couldn't possibly care.

This is a direct reflection upon your integrity. If you know you can't or won't enforce a league rule then decline the assignment.

[SanDiegoSteve]

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?

That is the difference I guess between where you work and where I work. They are desperate for umpires where you live. Out here they would cheerfully tell you that they no longer require your services. No umpire shortage here. Can't swing a dead cat in California without hitting an umpire.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by tibear

Umpiring a game last night where teams were starting to get annoyed with other and one team complained that the opposing pitcher was wearing sunglasses.

The local association has made a rule that batters and pitchers cannot wear sunglasses. (Not sure why because it's nowhere in the rulebook.)

The orientation of the field is such that the pitcher was going to basically look right into the sun to pitch. Would you enforce the local rule even if you felt that it was a safety issue?

This is a STUPID RULE made by STUPID PEOPLE who are not medical doctors. Ophthalmologists have been telling us for years and years that sunglasses with Polaroid lenses should be worn to protect our eyes. Now we have stupid people who are not medical professionals telling parents that they are to ignore medical professionals with respect to proper eye protection.

What if the batter or pitcher is wearing prescription sport (read safety) glasses and have Polaroid lenses? Are you going to tell the player's parents that their child cannot wear his glasses?

I am 60 years old and started playing golf when I was 9. When I first started playing I was having trouble with my eyes (not vision problems, everybody who knows that I officiate basketball and umpire baseball and softball know that I have always been blind in one eye and can't see out of the other), and our family ophthalmologist recommended that I wear sunglasses when I played golf. My eye problem was solved.

Furthermore, a local rule that cannot be supported by the rules of the game, cannot and should not be enforced.

MTD, Sr.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

This is a STUPID RULE made by STUPID PEOPLE who are not medical doctors. Ophthalmologists have been telling us for years and years that sunglasses with Polaroid lenses should be worn to protect our eyes. Now we have stupid people who are not medical professionals telling parents that they are to ignore medical professionals with respect to proper eye protection.

What if the batter or pitcher is wearing prescription sport (read safety) glasses and have Polaroid lenses? Are you going to tell the player's parents that their child cannot wear his glasses?

I am 60 years old and started playing golf when I was 9. When I first started playing I was having trouble with my eyes (not vision problems, everybody who knows that I officiate basketball and umpire baseball and softball know that I have always been blind in one eye and can't see out of the other), and our family ophthalmologist recommended that I wear sunglasses when I played golf. My eye problem was solved.

Furthermore, a local rule that cannot be supported by the rules of the game, cannot and should not be enforced.

MTD, Sr.

" #29 (permalink) Yesterday, 09:33am
tibear
Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 352

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."


NEVER MIND,

MTD, Sr.