As my partner and I approached the field(from the outfield) for a girls HS Softball game...my partner (base ump) noticed that a sprinkler "spout" in shallow left field had caused a rather large "divot" around it...We spoke to the home coach and before the game began we were able to pack some dirt into the divot making it level with the rest of the playing field.
My question is...what if we DID NOT see the divot since at most venues umpires do not enter from the outfield. If the home coach had said nothing about it...and we began the game and then someone twisted an ankle...would WE have been responsible??? I realize that when there are OBVIOUS safety concerns the umpires have the responsibility to address and correct but how much "detective" work should we have to do during pre-game???
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Dougie

Dougie,
I'm going to assume that this was not a field that you were/are familiar with. You should always walk the field, if for no other reason that to 'give the appearance' that you have attempted an inspection of the field. Roger or someone else more familiar with the legal aspects can answer the gist of your question from that angle. But, walking the field, you should see most potential problems and get them taken care of. It's the second step to really good game management - the first is your uniform appearance.

Steve M

Like Steve suggested..........always walk the field prior to calling the coaches for the plate meeting........

Tonight I called on a field that I have probably called 200+ games on........and I still gave the field a walk through............

AND.......you guessed it.......same situation.......sprinkler head exposed.......took me about 20 seconds to remedy the potential problem........

If I have not been on the field in awhile........I will usually even go as far as walking the fences and look for possible areas that the ball may enter DBT.......

Go ahead and call me anal.........but better safe than sorry..........:D

Joel

You guys actually have fields that have a sprinkler system installed?

Around here, they have a very antiquated sprinkler system. They call them clouds and they only operate when Mother Nature turns them on.

Just for the skinned areas Mike...........the grass gets watered by God.........

But the East Texas Red Clay many Leagues use for ballfields around here gets as hard as concrete if not properly wet down and worked periodically...........

I am sure glen can attest to that.........since most leagues buy it from his part of Tx

Joel

For those of you not used to the hot Texas summers and the strong winds that blow here, it is almost a requirement for ballfields to have sprinkler systems for the skinned part of the fields. Otherwise, they would become quite unworkable. Remember, we go for months on end without so much as seeing a single raincloud. (Though that hasn't been the case here in North Texas lately.)

As for walking the field, I agree that you should always do it regardless of how familiar you are with the field. I was on a field last night that I probably called 200+ games on last year, and if I hadn't walked it before gametime, I wouldn't have noticed the handle to some tool and the plate knife that the grounds crew discarded (for reasons I have yet to understand) out in foul territory right off of right field. Better safe than sorry as the old saying goes!

Scott

[Edited by Skahtboi on Apr 30th, 2002 at 09:43 PM]

Checking the Field --Always
 

Dougie,

I agree with Steve, you should always check the field especially
one you have not worked ever, or recently. You check your gear,
don't you? Checking and correcting the field conditions is also
aiding you and your partner. You could be the ones stumbling in
that hole or tripping over something the maintaince crew forgot
when preparing the field.

JMO,

glen

Thanks for the replies...

Sometimes it's hard to put in the time required for a "proper" playing field inspection prior to the game...most times it;s a "break-neck" race to get to the game site from work...but you are correct...nothing should be taken for granted...
Thankfully the "sprinkler spout" situation was taken care of at our game the other day...I'll try to make it a point to , at least, peruse the playing field and take note of "potential" problem areas in the future..
Thanks again,
Dougie

Mike,

In late June in Texas, teams run the risk of losing an outfielder in the cracks from the "naturally watered" outfields. Just a shame that a few of the coaches never wander out there!!

I had the pleasure of removing a ball-peen hammer a couple of weeks ago

Wow. Bringing up some really old threads today, aren't we?!

I didn't even look at the date.:o