Helmets

Just Curious · #1 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 28, 2001, 12:38am

Fed. Question - The guys in my association were in a heated discussion over this one last Monday night. One of our officals wanted to call a game before it ever started over an issue with helmets. He also wanted to know how come this team had not been pinged on this issue before now.
According to the rules, helmets must have a sticker and an embossed logo. The helmets in question only had the embossed logo. I suppose that the illegal team could have used the visiting team's helmets, but what if they didn't conform either?. The guys all agreed on what the rule book said, but could come to an agreement on whether they would enforce it or not. Aside from the sticker issue, the helmets were fine.
What would you guys do?
The blue questioning this, approached this particular school's AD at today's game.
Chuck

Tom Cook · #2 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 28, 2001, 07:55am

Our association had a similar discussion about whether the hockey-style catchers masks needed a throat protector or not. What it boils down to is that with 600 or so approved bats, helmuts, facemasks, etc. to check and a different date or stamp or sticker needed periodically it seems that the equipment companies are driving this process more than anybody else. The result is that officials end up having to play games that are technically outside the rules or not allow teams to play whose only real fault is that they don't have the money to buy new equipment (especially for lower levels) every year.

Steve M · #3 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 28, 2001, 07:56am

I've had several helmets that I've set aside this year for not having that warning label. One team lost 3 of their 10 helmets. Each time, they've run over to the baseball field and gotten some stickers/labels or gone to the AD's office for them, put them on, and had me re-examine them. Here in Pa, we've started noting on the line-up card how many bats and helmets the team has. Any other states doing this? It's an easy way to indicate that we've checked equipment in case there is any problem.

whiskers_ump · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 28, 2001, 08:55am

So far I have not run into that problem. Here in
Texas I am sure the FED (softball) rule reads the
same as in other states. Rule 1-1 ART.6 pg8. We
have no penalty listed in Rule book and if helmet
met all other requirements, let them play, has been
local decision to this point.

SamNVa · #5 (**permalink**) Sat Apr 28, 2001, 01:41pm

Here in VA, at least in my association, the standing order is that if the helmets are otherwise safe, play the game, then notify the association UIC so he can tell the state offices.

ricko · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 30, 2001, 10:32am

Chuck
Fed. Rule 1 Sec. 1 Art. 6 Note states that:

"The exterior warning label may be affixed to the helmet in either sticker form or embossed(at point of manufacture)and must be clearly visible.

There is nothing that says they have to have both the sticker and the embossed logo on the helmet. As long as the helmets are legal "Play ball"!

Rick

Roger Greene · #7 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 30, 2001, 10:51am

"The batting helmet shall have extended ear flaps that cover both ears and temples and also display the NOCSAE stamp and the exterior warning statement. The warning statement may be ....."

Roger Greene,
Member UT

ricko · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 30, 2001, 12:46pm

Chuck
Fed. Rule 1 Sec. 1 Art. 6 Note states that:

"The exterior warning label may be affixed to the helmet in either sticker form or embossed(at point of manufacture)and must be clearly visible.

There is nothing that says they have to have both the sticker and the embossed logo on the helmet. As long as the helmets are legal "Play ball"!

Rick

Steve M · #9 (**permalink**) Mon Apr 30, 2001, 02:36pm

Quote:

Originally posted by ricko
Chuck
Fed. Rule 1 Sec. 1 Art. 6 Note states that:

"The exterior warning label may be affixed to the helmet in either sticker form or embossed(at point of manufacture)and must be clearly visible.

There is nothing that says they have to have both the sticker and the embossed logo on the helmet. As long as the helmets are legal "Play ball"!

Rick

Rick,
In Pennslvania, the PIAA is the sports governing body. The way they read this is that a legal helmet must have both the NOSCAE stamp/seal AND the warning label. We went over that at our get together for local interpreters and this was emphasized. So we went over this with each of the umps and team coaches at the local levels. I can't speak for how any other state is handling this, but that's the way it is in Pa.

Don't ya just hate it when you see no typos, post it, and then the first thing that jumps out is some fat-fingered wrd?