NFHS: ear spacers

[3afan]

Legal in Fed?



https://blog.itriagehealth.com/wp-co...auged-ears.jpg

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by 3afan

Legal in Fed?



https://blog.itriagehealth.com/wp-co...auged-ears.jpg

It is jewelry. What did you think it was?

MTD, Sr.

[3afan]

I did not think it was anything. A member of my chapter ran into this and asked the question. I found it interesting so I posted the question here.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

It is jewelry. What did you think it was?

MTD, Sr.

In most cases, the spacer is solid and it is safer for the player with the spacer in place than it is removed.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

In most cases, the spacer is solid and it is safer for the player with the spacer in place than it is removed.

It is still jewelry. Therefore illegal.

MTD, Sr.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

It is still jewelry. Therefore illegal.

MTD, Sr.

When the resolution is more dangerous than the violation, a rule needs to be changed or dumped. Again, part of the problem with admin/coaches making rules with little to know working knowledge

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

When the resolution is more dangerous than the violation, a rule needs to be changed or dumped. Again, part of the problem with admin/coaches making rules with little to know working knowledge

I understand what you are saying here, but it is a little difficult to write a rule book that covers all possibilities, especially where it concerns matters that aren't related to the play of the game. Additionally, the authors of rule books are also faced with the challenge of considering potential liability impact of the rules.

I don't have a copy of the most current baseball or softball rule books, so help me out on this: Was language regarding ear spacers added to the rules this year? I don't recall seeing it in the football or basketball books, but I could have missed that as well. In any case, if ear spacers aren't specifically defined by NFHS as "jewelry" and argument could be made that it is ump to the official/umpire to make a determination if they are in fact jewelry and thus illegal. I fall in line with MTD and feel they are jewelry, but I imagine someone with more knowledge of the subject might tell me they are technically body modification devices or something like that.

Personally I'm going to err on the side of telling the player she can't play while wearing jewelry. I believe similar cases have been discussed here before with the conclusion (as applied to the specifics of this case) that this is the only way to avoid the risk of being sued if the player suffers an injury related to the ear spacers. If you allow the player to play with them in, it could be argued that you were negligent in your duties by allowing a player to play while wearing jewelry. If you tell the player she can play if she takes them out and an injury like Irish is concerned about occurs, it could be argued that you instructed the player to take them out which resulted in a subsequent injury.

[Little Jimmy]

When it comes to jewelry, I always say "you DO NOT have to take it out, but you can't play with it in.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner

I understand what you are saying here, but it is a little difficult to write a rule book that covers all possibilities, especially where it concerns matters that aren't related to the play of the game. Additionally, the authors of rule books are also faced with the challenge of considering potential liability impact of the rules.

I don't have a copy of the most current baseball or softball rule books, so help me out on this: Was language regarding ear spacers added to the rules this year? I don't recall seeing it in the football or basketball books, but I could have missed that as well. In any case, if ear spacers aren't specifically defined by NFHS as "jewelry" and argument could be made that it is ump to the official/umpire to make a determination if they are in fact jewelry and thus illegal. I fall in line with MTD and feel they are jewelry, but I imagine someone with more knowledge of the subject might tell me they are technically body modification devices or something like that.

Personally I'm going to err on the side of telling the player she can't play while wearing jewelry. I believe similar cases have been discussed here before with the conclusion (as applied to the specifics of this case) that this is the only way to avoid the risk of being sued if the player suffers an injury related to the ear spacers. If you allow the player to play with them in, it could be argued that you were negligent in your duties by allowing a player to play while wearing jewelry. If you tell the player she can play if she takes them out and an injury like Irish is concerned about occurs, it could be argued that you instructed the player to take them out which resulted in a subsequent injury.

All the more reason to dump the rule. They do not present a danger to any other participant.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by little jimmy

when it comes to jewelry, i always say "you do not have to take it out, but you can't play with it in.

exactly !

[parrot]

As a coach, all I know is I'm going to start making liberal use of the term "ear spacers", as in "Come on girls! Get your ear spacers in the game!"

[3afan]

FYI, we are still waiting to get "official" word on this from our state association

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by 3afan

FYI, we are still waiting to get "official" word on this from our state association

Why don't you just ask Walt Sparks directly?

[3afan]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Why don't you just ask Walt Sparks directly?

Thats who our chapter rep did ask ....