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-   -   Service animal in dugout? (https://forum.officiating.com/baseball/99393-service-animal-dugout.html)

rbmartin Fri Feb 27, 2015 06:51am

Service animal in dugout?
 
I have never had this come up before. A local high school player with seizure issues has been assigned a service dog which can predict/prevent these events. I could not think of a reason why any reasonable person could object to this and found no reference in the NFHS book that may pertain to this.
Any reason why this animal cannot accompany the player in the dugout area before/during games?

CT1 Fri Feb 27, 2015 08:33am

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbmartin (Post 956284)
Any reason why this animal cannot accompany the player in the dugout area before/during games?

Since FED allows base coaches to have mobility devices, I suspect this is also legal.

As long as Brutus doesn't bark about close calls, that is.

scrounge Fri Feb 27, 2015 09:01am

The rule book talks about the criteria for reasonable accomodations:

"The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sport, allow an otherwise illegal piece of equipment, create risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage.".

Does a dog sitting in the dugout fundamentally alter the sport? Nope.
Does it allow an otherwise illegal piece of equipment? Nope.
Does it create a risk to the athlete/others? Unless the dog bites...nope.
Does it place opponents at a disadvantage? Barring an opponent with a very sensitive dog allergy, nope.

Absolutely legal in my opinion - wouldn't have any patience with anyone objecting either, a total jerk move and probably illegal actually.

SE Minnestoa Re Fri Feb 27, 2015 09:56am

He's especially good if he bites the coach when the coach misbehaves.

Crabby_Bob Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:57am

Dog Steals Glove :)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eZCtWCzgWwg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

bob jenkins Fri Feb 27, 2015 11:26am

We allow rats in the dugout, why wouldn't we allow dogs? ;)

ozzy6900 Fri Feb 27, 2015 11:30am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob jenkins (Post 956306)
We allow rats in the dugout, why wouldn't we allow dogs? ;)

LOL!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D

Rich Ives Sat Feb 28, 2015 09:56am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob jenkins (Post 956306)
We allow rats in the dugout, why wouldn't we allow dogs? ;)

It's easier to trap rats. :D

johnnyg08 Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:34am

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrounge (Post 956292)
The rule book talks about the criteria for reasonable accomodations:

"The accommodations should not fundamentally alter the sport, allow an otherwise illegal piece of equipment, create risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage.".

Does it place opponents at a disadvantage? Barring an opponent with a very sensitive dog allergy, nope.

And even so, the ADA (Disability Act) will trump the allergy. You must always allow a reasonable accomodation for disabilities as Scrounge found in the rules.

The quote above from Scrounge sums it up nicely.

Moosie74 Fri Mar 06, 2015 02:23pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by CT1 (Post 956289)
Since FED allows base coaches to have mobility devices, I suspect this is also legal.

As long as Brutus doesn't bark about close calls, that is.

I had a St. Bernard named Brutus, when he was a puppy my then wife would bring him to the game to watch me umpire. One night I had a banger at the plate, coach comes out to argue, walking quickly towards me. Brutus was barking at him because of the way he approached me. He proceeded to stare down the coach for the next inning. Just thought of that based on your comment!

Matt Fri Mar 06, 2015 02:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrounge (Post 956292)
Absolutely legal in my opinion - wouldn't have any patience with anyone objecting either, a total jerk move and probably illegal actually.

Agree. Any coach that does that would find himself on a short leash.

RPatrino Fri Mar 06, 2015 06:00pm

In High School the head coach can have basically anyone/anything he wants on his bench. That is his domain, until it affects the game, then it becomes our issue. And we take care of it.

Rita C Sat Mar 07, 2015 06:00pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moosie74 (Post 957183)
I had a St. Bernard named Brutus, when he was a puppy my then wife would bring him to the game to watch me umpire. One night I had a banger at the plate, coach comes out to argue, walking quickly towards me. Brutus was barking at him because of the way he approached me. He proceeded to stare down the coach for the next inning. Just thought of that based on your comment!

Good dog!


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