protocol questions

[Tru_in_Blu]

I have a couple of questions regarding statements made by some of my plate umpire partners in recent tournaments (this year and last).

The first is about plate umpires asking both head coaches if "their teams are legally and properly equipped and will remain so for the entire game". This is clearly a requirement for NFHS officials that work high school games. I am not aware of any requirement within the USA rules or umpire manual that has us requesting this of coaches.

Some coaches who may not coach HS ball in NH just kind of look at the umpire quizzically and either just nod or reply affirmatively, not even sure about what they've just answered. My concern is that a coach who does do HS coaching in NH now already knows that the particular official is not sure of the sanction s/he is officiating.

When I asked one partner why he asked that of the coaches, he claimed that a "lawyer" told him/her that asking the coaches to assume the responsibility for "proper equipment" would ease any liability on him/her if there was ever a claim against him/her due to an injury related to faulty or illegal equipment. Not sure I buy that, but whatever.

The second issue regards the jewelry rule. NFHS allows no jewelry at all. USA leaves it up to the umpire's discretion. One partner recently declared that s/he deems "all jewelry to be dangerous and therefore no jewelry is allowed". One base partner, actually piped up during the plate conference that no jewelry would be allowed in the game when s/he saw a player wearing stud earrings. I do allow certain pieces of jewelry to be worn in USA games such as stud earrings or even nose studs. I won't allow any dangling-type pieces such as hoop earrings or nose rings. Back to my partner at the plate conference, I said that I was the UIC for this particular game and I would determine what was dangerous.

One thing that is becoming more and more common is the wrist bands folks are wearing to track their steps, number of flights of stairs, and/or heart rates. I normally ask players to remove what I'd consider to be a traditional wrist-watch or a bracelet with attachments. I've been allowing the fitness-type devices. I don't know if USA will address this or simply leave it up to discretion of the umpire(s), as it is now.

Just thought I'd pose the questions to get some inputs and/or discussion.