protocol questions

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

And I believe that would be a bad decision for USA Softball, which has participants from 6U to Senior Softball. Neither rule would appropriately address all the participants from 6 to 80, and would ultimately likely increase the liability and insurance costs for USA umpires and participants.

USA Softball already has rule sets regarding metal cleats that ban them for some levels, and allow them for others. I don't see how it would be that hard to do the same with jewelry. Something as simple as allowing it for 14U and up wouldn't be that difficult to implement, unless someone feels that our 80 year-old players shouldn't wear jewelry either.
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Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

There will always be someone that wants everything to be black or white, and never a shade of gray. Yet a game with participants from 6 to 80 just cannot have one absolute rule that is appropriate to every level. So, this is what we paid the big bucks to decide; and it may be different from game to game.

And that's where I think our reputation gets a little damaged. Imagine two umpires working multiple games together like I did a few weeks ago. My partner and I did five games back-to-back. If I were staunch no-jewelry-period umpire, and he wasn't, we'd conceivably be back and forth with our enforcement, depending on who had the plate. I think it just makes us look inconsistent before the game even gets started, and sets a tone with the coaches.