NFHS jewelry
 

NFHS varsity game last week, coaches & captains come out for the plate conference. I was BU in this game.

One of the players had not yet removed her ear studs. I got her attention and pointed to my ear. She said she would remove them when they got back to the dugout.

PU asked later why I didn't give a warning to the coach/team.

Kind of goes to the question to the coaches about their teams being properly and legally equipped and will remain so for the rest of the game.

For me, I just felt we shouldn't start the game on an adversarial basis.

Comments?

It is not a violation until in play. There are often players at the plate meeting who will not be playing.

Good.

Not illegal to wear them. Just cannot play with them in. Since game doesn't start until defense takes field and HP calls play ball, you did the right thing.

+1

This is an excellent point. I've had players attend the plate conference on crutches with a cast on. They're still considered a team member but clearly wouldn't be playing on that day.

Good preventative umpiring. I have done this several times this season. I look to avoid problems, rather than deal with problems. Letting a player know (or the coach of the player), that they still have jewelry on is a simple way of showing you are paying attention.

I try to walk down the front of the dugouts when I am checking equipment if I get the chance and glance at the players to see if I see anything that needs to be corrected.