NFHS Jewelry Rant
 

:mad:
As our high school season gets underway, I want to make sure you're not that umpire.

You know the one. The "other umpire" who allowed the girl to put tape over her earrings to cover it up. The guy who decides to overlook the little circular bandaid covering their nose stud. The homer who didn't make them take off the braided string bracelet.

Hey pal, I got something to say to you. Don't make my job tougher in my game by not enforcing the rules in your game. :mad:

Ok, I'm done now.

O so your THAT guy. That inspects every girl up and down trying to catch something that they might be hiding? Do you make them all lift their shirts so you can make sure nobody has navel rings on? This can go both ways.

I agree with you jewerly shouldn't be worn there is a rule....but I also think there is a fine line, between alowing everything....and inspecting every player well enough to see a flesh colored band aid. If I see it I'l make you take it out, but I got to see it first and I got a lot going on in a game to be that focused on jewerly

Ok my rants over too.

Here's my comment on this: making sure the players are properly and legally equipped is the coach's job, not the umpire's. (4-1-2-d) If I happen to notice jewelry before the game, I'll inform the coach. But, I don't "inspect" the players. If I notice jewelry during the game, 3-6-1 Penalty applies. If a player or coach asks if they can tape over jewlery, I tell then no, not unless it is a religious or medical-alert medal.

My jewelry pet peeve is not with high school that has a penalty. My pet peeve is with ASA, where there is no penalty so the players try and get away with wearing jewelry. If caught they take it off, if not caught they feel as though they have won the battle.

I cannot stand having to stop ASA games three, four times for the removal of jewelry, it really does affect the flow of the game.

ASA, please put a penalty into the rule book. A rule with no penalty is not worth the paper it is written on.

Horsecrap. There is a rule if they refuse to take it off. If I tell you take off jewelry that I judge to be dangerous, you'd better do it, or I'll toss you for showing up an umpire and committing USC.

Easy way to handle it: as you walk into the dugout for the bat inspection, remind the players to take off their jewelry. If anyone has a question about an individual piece, they can ask me then.

I rarely have problems with jewelry on my field, and I frequently get thanked for reminding them.

So, obviously, my anal-ness over jewelry is misplaced. Tell it to my three grandkids who don't have a paternal grandfather because he died when their dad was less than a year old. His dad was garroted at second base by his own necklace.

Tell it to the girl six years ago who was doing her job on a steal play at second base. Baserunner came sliding in, helmet went askew, baserunner's earring left a scar like barbed wire just above the left eye of the second baseman. Less than an inch lower it wouldn't have been a scar just above her left eyebrow, it would have been her eye. The scar is still bad enough. It looks like she has a jack (the child's toy, not the tire thing) embedded in her forehead.

I can tell you more ... and I will if it doesn't sink in.

What other rules do you people ignore? Does the whole ball have to be over the plate for it to be a strike? Do your half innings only require two outs, or four outs, or do you mix it up because you don't want to enforce the three out requirement this half inning?

Yes coaches are responsible. We also know some coaches are not. In NFHS, the rules are plain and they are there for a purpose. It is YOUR responsibility to enforce them. If you are NOT going to enforce them, then step away from the game. NFHS has a different purpose than ASA, NSA, USSSA, ISA, Dixie, Babe Ruth, Little League, PONY, 5 Star or anything else. (And in the other organizations neither you nor the coaches are acting in loco parentis, which is why you have to rule it to be a danger. When I do ASA, there is NOTHING around the neck of any player unless it is religious or medical.) It's is YOUR JOB to do YOUR JOB according to the rules, manuals and directives of NFHS. That includes the jewelry rule.

I just hope it doesn't take a death on YOUR field to get you to enforce the rule. Will it take a maiming or a death on your field to make you decide to more diligent in your enforcement?
If for no other reason, enforce it in memory of Dana Wall and the life that could have been.

The rule is there. If you feel it is a danger, enforce it. The rules don't say anything about the flow of the game. Just don't mess it up as an umpire. If the players mess it up, that's their fault.

And the rule is NOT a gotcha. "Gotcha" umpiring is a different thing entirely.

Nice rant, if a bit over the top. Nowhere did I say I do not enforce the rule. However, I do not have the players line up holding their bats at "present arms" (or is it "inspection arms") for an equipment and uniform inspection, either. I don't ignore jewelry, but I don't inspect for it, either. It is mentioned at the plate meeting for High School games.

Hell, NO! ASA's is just fine. If some idiot parent wants to let their child wear something that will not harm another, that is their problem, not mine.

If you expect me to be the player's parent, I want to be able to claim every one of them on my taxes.

Don't you claim them already, Mike?

We should at least be able to claim the coaches. :D

Regardless of how you recognize the jewelry, remember we can not tell a player to remove anything, just that they can not play while wearing it.

Formal inspections no, but I do watch the players as they go out to field, so that I can correct all of them at once, not one each inning. :rolleyes:

Sorry about that, I didnt see it.
Maybe you see too good. :D

I didn't say you did or didn't. I also do not expect people to line up for inspection, neither does SRW. We're usually very happy they actually have their bats and hats out of their bags for us to have a look.

Now:

Don't you dare mistake my passion for being over the top.

When he was younger, I had the "honor" of telling my oldest stepgrandson why he didn't have two granddaddies like his friends. You do that, then come back and tell me it's a bit over the top. This guy was one of my very best friends in the world, long before his son and my stepdaughter ever joined hands. A bit over the top indeed.

Sorry for their and your loss, but adults would seem to responsible for their own behavior.

I can also really empathize with you..

And I've also seen injuries - I've seen a pitcher get her face crushed, I've seen a player in the dugout get smashed and taken off in our ambulance, a good friend and umpire had a stroke in middle of a tournament... the list goes on as I'm sure it would for each of us.

This is a dangerous sport. Period.

Things do happen and I'm sure there are regrets.. and I'm sure each each of our life experiences affect what we do...

So that is said, and I understand that..

In terms of an overall approach for ALL umpires to your cocern - it is still over the top.

For you, it may indeed be your passion.

That doesnt make it my passion, even if I can empathize with why you would feel the way you do.

Although it does kind of twist on me you would allow medical or religious necklaces - it seems to me they can kill/injure just as easily....

In any case, in NFHS ball the rule is clear so if you see it, you must take care of it.

Because rules say they may be worn and they must be taped. If I were king of the world they would wear the bracelets, taped down with the info visible. Much easier to get to the information in an emergency. A taped down necklace may not be as readily seen....

a.
b. Adults are responsible for their own behavior
c. because of my experience, I am adamant about necklaces in youth games. adults are on their own.

Awesome - thats about where my passion for this issue ends as well.. right where the rules end. If I see it in NFHS, it gets addressed. If I see it in ASA and its dangerous, it gets addressed.

I think we are on the same page then.

Just because I'm passionate, in the opinion of some over the top, doesn't mean I am insane.

Well, not totally. Today. Yet.

like we all haven't heard/done this before....

Umpire: time!
Umpire: number 15 you cant play with that jewelry on. (so player runs to dugout to remove)
Umpire: coach.. come see. (coach makes a face like his/her bucket (which of course, is in the dugout) is stuck up his/her butt)
Umpire: coach, that's a team warning for illegal equipment, jewelry in this case.
Coach: why you gotta be a d!ck? the last umpires didn't nitpick on the jewelry and we had a great game... wish we had them. (while umpire makes note of team warning on lineup card) (and of course the peanut gallery is chiming in "just let em play, blue" and "nice work ya hero")
Umpire: jewelry is illegal coach, lets play ball.
Umpire to himself: wait till i find out who worked that last game(s)... making me look like a bad guy for enforcing the rules!!

whatever, call your game.

btw: did i miss any steps?... as i never called a jewelry timeout before... J/K ;)

All umpires are fighting this issue, and I'm not talking about jewelry. It's "the other umpire." We've all seen them, some of us automatically know who it is, and every organization has them. Sadly, there are no exceptions.

This is how I tell it. The rules are there because someone wiser than I believes that the sport should be conducted this way. My opinion on whether or not these fellas or ladies are correct is irrelevant. If the book says I shall or must do things a certain way, then damn it, I'm going to do it.

I do not like starting in B with no runners on base (remember: I do SP, not FP or Modified).

I do not like getting in the set position behind the plate. It makes me miss more of the 12'+ high pitches.

I could go on and on about what I do or do not like in the rule book or the umpire manual.

But the bottom line is that is not my decision to make, nor is it yours. My gripes go up the chain of command, not down to the coaches or players. If the book has a rule about dangerous jewelry, then so be it - I will enforce it to the best of my ability.

And according to ASA, medical bracelets may be worn. However, if they are, they must be taped to the body with the medical information visible.

Only voted, and yes there was a vote, for this after discussing with umpires from different parts of the country where the mechanic was tested. If don't properly, it actually makes the umpire's job easier and allows better coverage of more plays.

Worst slow pitch mechanic change in my 20+ years of working softball. Just a note, going set is not, nor should it be, a problem. Going set PRIOR to acertaining the legality of the pitch is the problem.

Nah, that never happens :rolleyes:

But the bottom line is that is not my decision to make, nor is it yours. My gripes go up the chain of command, not down to the coaches or players. If the book has a rule about dangerous jewelry, then so be it - I will enforce it to the best of my ability.

According to ASA, ANYTHING the umpire does not determine as dangerous may be worn which is fine by me.

My personal fave was the mom who complained because she just paid over 1,000 buckaroos for her DD's necklace and if SHE had to keep it in her purse instead of around her DD's neck WHILE SHE WAS PLAYING, it was ON ME if she lost it.
(The mom wasn't hot, either...two big strikes.)

doesn't that just suck?

You could have offered to keep the necklace in your pocket and if the DD remembered to get the jewlery back after the game, it would remain hers.:rolleyes:

I gave a team warning at last Wednesday's high school game for a "Livestrong type" plastic bracelet.

jewelry issues
 

First post this year for softball and thought I would chim in. Working a dbl header scrimmage last week and I was PU for 2nd game. Noticed when talking to home team catcher that she had a stud in her upper lip area. Knowing the coach as well as I do, I went to him between innings and told him I didn't want to be an a$$ but "if this were during the regular season I would, depending on when I noticed: 1) stop the game and have her remove the item or if it took to long, have her replaced, or 2) have it removed between innings. As I was telling the coach this he stated that they thought they had the ear thing all set and this was new. I found out later that same inning that this catcher also had one of those bar/stud like things going from one part of her ear to another. I was informed that was also removed after I taked to the coach.. I guess I am one of those that doesnot go looking for it but if I see it, I have to take care of it..

Once you see it, no delay, remove (jewelry or player) then and there.

I had my first HS game of the year (game #50) and pulled the coach aside as his players went off the field to ask him 'Why are #4's earlobes so shiny. Message received by the coach, no issue made, and the player stayed in the dugout, coach's decision. The hard part is noticing these things when working a NFHS game after so many in a rule set where you can some to the plate with more metal than a robot.

Now, what is the deal with all of the metal in your face? I guess I really am getting old when I do not get the piercing thing.:confused:

Lip piercings, eye brow piercings and such are obviously dangerous and out in all rule sets.

Not NCAA.

is a rubber band around a wrist jewelry?

IMO its not ...

If a player wasn't born with it attached to her body...it's jewelry.

Besides...what purpose does a rubber band around the wrist serve to a softball player?

If the rubber band is not a part of the hand, the hand is not a part of the bat.:rolleyes:

Nor ASA, IMJ

NFHS is pretty clear:Cloth or string is illegal; if I saw the rubber band bracelet, Armstrong bracelet, etc., it'd have to be removed in an NFHS game. ASA, I'd ignore it.

ok, then what are they suppose to wear to secure their hair? flaps of excess skin? maybe some pubes woven in rope fashion? :confused:
ok, grossed myself out.

Again, I'm looking for the vomiting smiley.

Until they can demonstrate that their arm hair needs to be tied back, I wouldn't allow the rubber bands, either. If it's purely for ornamentation (however stupid the ornamentation may be), it's jewelry. In this case, the ribbons actually serve a purpose of holding their hair back. Decorative, yes, but sometimes, so are the uniforms themselves.

I agree... i just don't agree with the statement "If a player wasn't born with it attached to her body...it's jewelry."
I looked up what a barrette is.... but wtf about other types of hair "containment" type devices... those plastic half loop hair thingies? I "allowed" them in a FED game last night (i couldnt see them, d@mn field faces right into the setting sun)

Well, I can't speak for what NFHS would say about this or that. There will be plenty of cases where you'll find grey areas. For me, if I'm going to make the determination between whether or not to allow certain articles of "clothing," it would boil down to a few simple things.

Does it serve an actual purpose related to the game? (ie., does it keep her hair out of her face?)

Is it purely for ornamentation?

Does it have anything that, if broken or removed, could be dangerous to herself or others (such as beads on the ribbon she's using to hold her hair back)?

Does it have anything that, even if kept in place, could be dangerous to herself or others (such as sharp edges or points)?

Is it something that, if removed, would have an adverse impact on that player's performance?

That last one is reaching, but something worth considering. If the answer is no, then your response is simple: take it off.

With the exception of the "others", why would you care?

I understand that position for adults, but for minor children, I apply a standard that also includes injury to the player.

Don't buy it. If a parent wants their daughter wear a piece of jewelry that is not dangerous to anyone else, that is their decision. If the coach wants to allow his/her player wear the same, so be it.

I agree in principle; just not in practice.

I did have a catcher earlier this season who could have used the restraint on her arm hair, but I still wouldn't allow it in a NFHS game.

I wish FED would address this properly.... you already got runners with a hard plastic helmet with a metal face shield and metal spikes/cleats on their feet.... God forbid a little plastic hair clip come undone and prick someone during a slide. :rolleyes:
whatever.

Rant=off

Because an injury is an injury, and it will take longer to get home if we have to wait? :rolleyes:

I believe we were talking about kids' games. Therefore, yes, I will include that in my judgment.

Yet another often-discussed issue that means nothing to me or the way I approach the game. Contrary to the beliefs of many coaches and parents, I don't believe an umpire should be there "for the kids". Again, the kids are the responsibility of the coaches and parents. THEY are the ones who need to be there "for the kids".

As an umpire, I'm there for the game. I don't care if it is 10U or 50+ SP, "B" FP or A/Open SP, they all get the same game and general application of the appropriate rules. And before anyone starts, I am quite aware and supportive of certain allowances at different levels or ages. This is why you DON'T put your less-than-stellar or hardnose umpires on the 10U games.

Even though the NFHS rules are intolerant of jewelry (where ASA includes umpire judgment regarding safety), I like the fact that the NFHS book places the responsibility squarely with the coach, the player, and the parents.

Maybe, but when the suit is filed, you will be included, right or not.

I see the exact opposite.... they place it firmly in our laps to NOT allow any of the ambiguously described pieces of jewelry or cosmetic devices.
Although like i explained to the coach.... hard is bad... soft is good.. he actually seemed to get it. (regarding hair containment devices)

NFHS Rule 3-5

I'm with Irish and CNB on this one. Fed's decision to allow HS players, many of whom are less-than-accomplished at sliding and avoiding being slid into, to wear metal cleats while banning earrings and cloth bracelets seems a little absurd. The decision to have their kids wear metal cleats lays with the coaches and parents. That's where the jewelry issue belongs as well.

And yes, if I see it, I'll have them remove it. I just don't see it. If it's pointed out to me by someone, I'll remove it since others can prove that I saw it. Until Fed requires us to perform a standardized pregame jewelry inspection, I will continue to not see it. I guess this makes me "THAT" umpire. I still don't see how this makes other's jobs more difficult. If I instruct a player to remove something, I could care less if a previous umpire didn't. I could care less if the coach complains about umpires' inconsistency on the matter. They will still have to remove it. It's not difficult to make them comply.

It is entirely consistent with their overall outlook on life and how their status, legally and organizationally, is different from ASA (for example).

1. en loco parentis is historically the role of the schools and their representatives in dealing with school children, although that has been weakened by societal mores and recent legislation.

2. Title IX has significantly impacted how the schools deal with girls sports, rules, and facilities.

#1 results in things like the jewlery rules.
#2 results in things like the metal cleats rule.

Some would argue that metal cleats are actually safer than plastic, but even if true, I suspect the overriding reason NFHS changed the rule to allow metal was "because they are legal for the boys."

And, even baseball does not allow jewelry.

NFHS Baseball Rule 1-5

"have the duty".... is what wraps us up in the legal matters. imho.

You are a awesome umpire and a handsome man.... keep agreeing with me more!!! :D

love you man! (in a totally hetro way!)

In my pregame, right after asking if they are legally and properly equipped, I specifically mention Livestrong bracelets and also that they make sure if they are wearing the hair bands that they keep them in their hair and not around their necks. It seems to help a lot. If asked if they can tape them I always give the right answer but if a girl comes out with band-aids over something I have never thought it was my duty to tell them to look under their band-aids. From my POV, I have asked if they are equipped properly and if they are purposefully hiding it then it puts it back on them.

Where does it say we have the duty to inspect the players?

Although umpires have the duty and right to inspect equipment, the responsibility
for proper equipment rests with coaches, student-athletes and their parents/guardians.

"equipment" is on the players....

Far too many umpires spend way too much managing the people and not the game.

In the meeting, the reason NFHS requires the head coach to be present is so he can verify "to the plate umpire that all his/her players are legally equipped, and that players and equipment are in compliance with all NFHS rules", thus confirming that he understands compliance is his responsibility, and it is not a game of "see what you can slip by the umpire."

So, in the spirit of this thread, I got to call my first jewelry violation yesterday.

The visiting coach pointed it out to me; if he hadn't I never would have seen the small ugly stud in the 2nd Baseman's eyebrow from behind the plate.
________
HEADSHOP

And I'm sure he was just concerned for the player's safety :rolleyes:

So in the spirit of this thread you had her remove it, issued a team warning, and notified the head coach that the next offense would result in the HC and the player restricted to the bench for the remainder of the game?

Almost. I told her she was not allowed to play with it in. She decided to remove it on her own.
The coach got the message of the warning and yelled at all his players to double check. This was between innings so it didn't delay the game. Her dropping the earring on the ground as she took it out and the coach, BU, and F4 trying to find it did but only slightly.
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Live sex webshows

If this was a Fed game, you still need to go through the formality of the official warning. It doesn't need to be confrontational; just informational, "Coach, this constitutes your official warning. Please ensure all your players are following your instructions, since the next violation will result in the player being removed from the game and you restricted to the bench." Or some such...

Even though the coach yelled at his players, I guarantee you there was one who figured no one would ever notice hers. How do I know? I raised 2 daughters! :rolleyes:

Mike, again, if it was a Fed game, there is no judgment about safety; jewelry goes. I'm sure the VC's motives were to disrupt, but it doesn't matter.

Oh, I understand completely and on the rare occasion I work HS ball, it is the law.

Yeah, that's what I did. Only difference was, I added, and neither one of us wants that to the end. Sorry I was unclear.
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Marcelaxxx

As opposed to "coach, you were given your warning at the plate meeting, she's gone and you're gone, now get me a new pitcher"? :D
What's funny is that's the same coach and pitcher involved in the second meeting in the same inning debacle! No wonder they didn't win the state championship! It couldn't be a better coach or better young lady. He helps in ways no one knows because he has ordered me and a couple others to never tell...gives more help to RBI program than the Mariners or MLB!

After reading this entire thread, I am convinced more and more these sort of things are why NYS does NOT subscribe to NFHS for softball.

For the record, here is the card we are required to read before every game:

No jewelry, which includes visible body piercing shall be worn in any sport. Any piece of jewelry that is visible at the start of , or during, any contest, is in violation of the NYSPHSAA Jewelry Rule. Religious medals must be taped to the body snd under the uniform. Medical medals must be taped so they are visible. Soft, pliable barrettes are are permissable. Body gems are not
(Italics were mine, btw)
About once a year, I might have to remind someone about a forgotten necklace...and usually the kid is SO embarrassed about it....:o


Also it is MANDATORY for us to check 'bats and hats' prior to a game - and again, all the teams are so used to it, they all have everything out for us to look when we get to the field for our pregame. The coaches like it, actually - occasionally we will find a helmet where the mask is a little loose, or something minor like that, and the coach who is usually busy as all heck appreciates it. Then EVERYbody's butt is covered....

New York can run SOME things pretty well at times....