Players standing in the dugout openings

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

The big issue around here lately has been the coach sitting on the bucket outside the dugout/bench area - to the point where we reminded of it SEVERAL times during our meetings.

Actually its about one PITA assistant coach, who has been a nightmare for about 10 years, starting at the middle school level.

[Mountaincoach]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

The big issue around here lately has been the coach sitting on the bucket outside the dugout/bench area - to the point where we reminded of it SEVERAL times during our meetings.

Actually its about one PITA assistant coach, who has been a nightmare for about 10 years, starting at the middle school level.

I've been around a couple of these guys in the past 8 or 10 years. They're usually very "large" individuals. I always felt sorry for the bucket.

[Manny A]

Did I miss something in this discussion? Where is there a rule that prohibits players from standing at the dugout opening, completely inside the dugout out of live ball territory? It's not our job to ensure players are out of the potential line of fire. There are all sorts of dugout configurations that put players in harm's way; are we supposed to tell those players they need to leave the dugout and go behind it?

Geez, talk about getting involved in something that isn't our business. We don't force pitchers and infielders to wear face masks. We don't direct on-deck hitters to pay attention in the circle and not swing the bat to warm up. We don't advise base runners to stop sliding head first because it's more dangerous than feet first.

Don't get me wrong; I'm concerned about player safety. But those concerns are born out of enforcing the rules about safety. We don't insert ourselves to push agendas that aren't aligned with the rules. If the girls want to stand in the dugout opening, that's on them and their coaches.