i was iterested on the topic of jewelry. But what is the ruling on the wrist bands that the youth are wearing, that Lance Armstrong was selling. Are they consdered dangerous.

Most I have talked to (myself included) feel these should be treated just as a normal bracelet or necklace would be, considered to be jewelry. I've not allowed them in my games and I know many others who have not as well. IMO, they're jewelry.

We here pretty much decided to make the girls take them off-it was never told to us officially,but I think most of us decided it had the POTENTIAL of being injurous....by the middle of the school season they were all coming off before we had a chance to ask/tell them...

Why is a rubber hair band safe around a ponytail, yet dangerous around the wrist?

It is easier to be consistent by saying as one of our guys does "If they weren't born with it on, it's jewelry and has gotta go"!

Because of the likelyhood that the wrist will take a DIRECT hit....

Agreed ASA/NYS. Something else I have thought of before is that a rubber band around the hair (to make it a pony tail) must be tight. Tough to get a finger or something in underneath it. 9 times out of 10, if it (or one of these bracelets) is on the wrist, it's not flush to the skin so there is the chance a finger could become lodged underneath of it (I know, highly unlikely but the chance does exist)and dislocated or broken as the play develops.

My personal view on it, is what purpose does it serve? The rubber band in the hair is serving a purpose, keeping the hair out of their faces. A rubber band on the wrist (or one of these bracelets), serves no purpose, therefore, there's no reason for them to have it on. JMO.

I have the same thought everytime this topic comes around for discussion.
How can something be judged as potentially dangerous at or below the high school level and then suddenly be of no concern at the college level??
I noticed one pitcher in the WCWS that, from the neck up, looked like she just returned from a prom.
I can see bans on hoop earrings, etc. at all levels but have never quite grasped the need for a total ban.
Aren't college officials subject to the same liability issues as others? Perhaps less paranoid??

NCAA players are considered adults who are responsible for themselves; they are no longer minors. Additionally, by rule, the coach and the school accept all liability for players wearing jewelry.

Umpires have no reason to be concerned; not our problem.

Instead of wrist bands, how about the girls who wear sweat bands on their wrist. These serve a purpose. I have been told at ASA National School that if the wrist object is hard (hard plastic, metal, etc.), that is considered jewerly and is to be removed. If the object is soft to let it go unless worn by pitcher, then you have other rules for removal.

Throw out the rubber wrist bands if you want, but in the AFA Nationals it is a signal to
the college coaches in attendance that the young lady wearing the band is an unsigned
eligible player. AFA follows NCAA in the jewerly department, if not considered
dangerous, let it alone. Did my 9th AFA Nationals this plast week and have never had
to tell a player to remove a piece of jewerly. Nothing remotely dangerous looking.

MLB
 

Interesting photo here regarding wristbands...

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg....AvZ7tTe1QYkw--
Los Angeles Angels batter Garret Anderson (R) and home plate umpire Paul Nauert (L) watch his two-run home run off New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina in the second inning of their game in New York's Yankee Stadium July 29, 2005. The hit proved to be all that was needed as the Angels won 4-1. Photo by Ray Stubblebine/Reuters

The wrist band the umpire is wearing appears to be one of the "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" type.
I wear one of them, but not during a game.

No glen,

He's wearing that one so he will know which hand to watch when calling a STRIKE!

Keepin' It Simple
 

If a rubber band is on the wrist, it is jewelry. Rubber band in the hair to contain the hair is not jewelry.
Keeps it simple, huh?

Re: Keepin' It Simple
 

And what makes a rubber band (gum band, to some) on the wrist "dangerous"?

Sorry guys and gals... it really seems to me we're all out of track. IMO a rubber band on a wrist cannot NEVER NEVER NEVER be jewelry in the way the Rulebook intend it and it NEVER NEVER NEVER cannot be a safety issue.

JMO

A.

This past weekend at a 10U tournament, a coach told me that one of her players broke a finger when it got caught in an opponent's LiveStrong band on a sliding tag play. I hadn't made players take them off before, but that changed my mind.

Then why wouldn't you make them remove their clothes, sweatbands and gloves because those items can cause the same injury if another player's finger is entangled with them during a play?

That's it.
Agree with you, Mike.
I was thinkin' exactly the same and you wrote it.

A.

You know, an easier way to deal with this is the uniform rule.

If the whole team is wearing them, ignore it if they aren't all wearing it, comply with the uniform rule.

Persoanlly, I want all jewelry removed.

Years ago, I was one of three officials sued over a stud earring that we didn't see on a player.

My insurance settled as did the others.

Jewelry is for adornment, it has no place or use as a sporting device.

GET RID OF IT.

I have told adults to get rid of some earrings, and some necklaces but for the kids, toss it all.

However on the upside, if you have a metal detector work over the infield after a game and you might find some good stuff.
I sure have in years past.......diamond rings, earrings etc.

Yesterday (thursday) the Dutch pro-soccer referees came together, because competition will start next weekend. They were ORDERED to get rid off all jewelry, INCL. rubber wristbands (such as LiveStrong).
I can imagine in all kinds of sport and in any league the UIC can/will/must give some points of notice for the next season. In the Neth.'s we do so for several years now. IMHO we should get rid off it now, but why not start taking action at the beginning of a competition? In that case all players can take notice off it and are warned in advance. When we take action during competition, you can have the argument: "Last weekend we could wear them. Why not now?" or things like that...

Agree with Mike. ASA Rulebook does not say "ALL jewelry has to be removed."

Worked an ASA 16U/18U college showcase last weekend. Were told that all jewelry had to be removed. This presented a problem, as any unsigned player was wearing a colored wristband, designating school year. Made it easy for college scouts/coaches. But of course, there were some umpires who were trying to have ball players remove these bands as they were "jewelry." Glad it got resolved before it got ugly.

Serg

Had the same thing happen here a couple of weeks ago. Even after being told the purpose of the wristband, there was an umpire who still wanted it removed. Don't think he'll be back next year.

BTW, Serg, when am I going to see Tidewater's check for the umpire's tournament :)

At the risk of losing an assignment, although trainable,
1) if we think an item is dangerous, aren't we ethically and by rule required to disallow it?
2) doesn't safety, real or perceived, come before college recruiting?

Mike, I'll get back to you on the check. :)

PLEASE NOTE: The tournaments which were referenced by Serg and myself were specifically held for the purpose of college recruiting.

People can carry on all the arguments they please, there is no way anyone can believe the wristbands which are the point of discussion in this thread can be dangerous as it relates to softball and not be over officious.

JMHO,

Re: MLB
 

Interesting: Same umpire, 7 days later...

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg....T1mCjw_PKpFQ--
Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon, right, argues with home plate umpire Paul Nauert (96) in the eighth inning, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, in Cincinnati. McKeon was arguing a third strike. Cincinnati won, 4-3. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)