Dan,

The definition of 'Bullpen' (Rule 2-8) is: "The Bullpen is the area in foul or dead-ball territory where substitute pitchers, catchers, and other players warm up."

Therefore, "behind the shed out there" would be considered the bullpen and thus fall under the confines of the field.

Now of course if the bullpen is 'outta sight', we as umpires would not be able to enforce the safety rules and there's no judge or jury that would hold us accountable in such a situation.

The way I understand it was put forth at the TASO meet was,
"If you can see'em, they are within the confines of the playing
area." Thus issue the warning.

If you go by TASO's definition of confines of the field, then the stands and nearby parking lot would be within the confines.

Since NFHS rules do not allow players to venture outside the confines of the field during the game, you would be allowing players to sit in the stands with their boyfriends or go to their cars during a game. This is NOT what NFHS wants.

I'd challenge the TASO definition. Umpires cannot extend their jurisdiction over the fans in the stands or the unruly spectators screaming from the parking lot.

Let's not forget we are talking about High School ball, here.

Most of the time, the ball fields are on school property, and even when they aren't the school has jurisdictional responsiblity for the behavior of fans, students, parents, and participants at High School events.

Umpires are acting as contractors for the state high school league, conference, school, or however it is structured. Those entities can, presumably, delegate responsibilities to the umpires as their agents. If TASO was passing along the way the UIL wants it handled, then they are copasetic.

I got a completely different understanding for last year's state meeting. Didn't hear anything about it this year. The understanding that I got was that the confines were literally the area contained by the fences.

I was not there, but our chapter president said it did come up and
that is what was mentioned. If you can see'em then they are in the
confines.

Scott, do you know Mike Littlejohn, or Terry Hix. Both are coming
to our chapter's Umpires/Coaches meeting next Wednesday.

Any definition
 

will need to address when there are no fences, walls, etc. How does one decide where to draw the lines? I hesitate to suggest that it be the crew chief's judgement, and all the variety of interpretations that will lead to.

This is not the way it is enforced in my association, nor the way I intrepret NFHS. My understanding is "confines of the field" is live ball territory and the dugouts.

I understand that this goes against the case play about players remaining in the confines of the field incorrect. I believe that NFHS put in a poorly worded case play to illustrate a player should not be doing things like sitting in the stands chatting with friends during the game. As previously posted, I think we will see that case play changed.

Does anyone believe that if a foul ball were hit outside the confines of the field (however you define it) that a player should not be allowed to go shag that ball? I think NFHS incorrectly used an all encompassing case book play to explain what should have been a specific situation.

Not that I am aware of.

wrt "I believe that NFHS put in a poorly worded case play "
now - there's a shock :D