Sunglasses on top of head

[robbie]

In Indiana girls fast pitch, they MUST be worn properly. Otherwise they are considered jewelry.
Just a statement of state policy from the state director.

[chicago11]

i am not sure why this is an issue. especially if it one of those days that where the sun is in and out of the clouds. If I had to stop a game everytime the sun went away to have the fielders put their glasses away and then go back to get them if it gets sunny, games would take forever.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by chicago11

i am not sure why this is an issue. especially if it one of those days that where the sun is in and out of the clouds. If I had to stop a game everytime the sun went away to have the fielders put their glasses away and then go back to get them if it gets sunny, games would take forever.

In 100% agreement here.

Isn't seeing the ball just as much a safety issue as the remote chance sunglasses could slide off a hat and cause injury?

Even if worn correctly, are you going to require straps be attached to keep them from coming off and causing an injury?

And if I remember correctly, this question was raised with ASA a few years back and we, as umpires, were instructed to "leave it alone".

[NYBLUE]

Originally Posted by robbie

In Indiana girls fast pitch, they MUST be worn properly. Otherwise they are considered jewelry.
Just a statement of state policy from the state director.

I believe it's the same policy here in NY state.
If necessary, I tell them at the home plate conference that sunglasses worn on top of the head/hat are considered jewelry.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by robbie

In Indiana girls fast pitch, they MUST be worn properly. Otherwise they are considered jewelry.
Just a statement of state policy from the state director.

What state director? There is probably a couple for the fast pitch game for girls in the state of Indiana.

[NCASAUmp]

So here's what prompted the question...

Sunday afternoon, I was calling behind the plate when the lefthanded batter stepped up with sunglasses atop his cap. He hit the ball in the infield, and his sunglasses go flying. The catcher trails him to 1B, but in the process, steps on the sunglasses, breaking them into a bunch of sharp pieces.

That got me thinking, "you know, that shouldn't have happened. They should've been worn properly or not at all." At least if he wore them properly, there's not much anyone can really say if they fall off of his face.

Jump ahead to last night. It's almost 9:30 at night, the sun's long gone, and the lights are on (they're not overly bright - just adequate). The lead-off batter steps up, wearing her sunglasses on top of her head to hold her hair back. I (very politely and calmly) ask, "hey, batter... Can you do me a favor and either put the sunglasses on or take them off? You can't wear them like that." I don't know if it was the fact that it was getting late at night, if it was the playoffs, or if she was just plain cranky, but the batter refused. We went back and forth a couple of times, and I'd had enough. I called her team's manager over (who was next up to bat), and I explained to him that either the glasses go on, go off, or she doesn't play. In the end, she complied, but not without some hassle.

My thought process was that these are sunglasses that are meant to be worn on the face. Wearing them in a fashion other than the way they were intended is prohibited. If wearing a hat backwards is considered "sporting behavior," how would this be any different? Not to mention the safety issue brought up by Sunday's events.

Maybe I was just tired wanted nothing less than to deal with whiny players (it was the third game of the night), maybe I was just hungry (I get really cranky when I'm hungry!), maybe I was a bit OOO (I'll concede that), maybe some of all 3. I really don't know, but I'm curious to know other umpires' opinions as to whether or not they would even bother with something like this. And maybe, just maybe, someone has been down this road in an official fashion (ie., a State, Regional or National), and maybe, just maybe, there may be some insight to share.

[Steve M]

I think you may have had some of all 3 notes, but mainly OOO - without that one, the rest wouldn't matter. They're adults, treat the sunglasses like jewelry. If/when they fall off and get stepped on - not your problem.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Dave,

I think you went looking for boogers. Do you make sure everyone's shoes are properly tied so no one will trip over them and hurt themselves?

After all, part of the uniform and needs to be worn properly, right?

IMO, referring to glasses of any type as jewelry is a stretch and simply an attempt to justify controlling something not covered in the rules. But, like I said, it is JMO.

[wadeintothem]

needless to say, gotta line up with the others.

I've never had it be an issue -

I'm not big on any of the fashion rules.

So I dont anticipate it ever will be an issue.

[NCASAUmp]

I wouldn't qualify glasses as jewelry - like I said, I consider them like a hat.

As far as picking nits, yeah, in hindsight, I kinda figured I did. Not quite sure what's been with me lately, to be quite honest. Seems like my head just isn't on straight, and I'm managing the players and not the game. Maybe I'm just cranky and tired of dealing with sh1theads on the field, which I admit is a bad combination. Fortunately, we're in playoffs now, so the season will be over soon. Should be a nice, 2-month break!

As for the shoelaces, if I happen to glance down and see 'em untied, I let 'em know. Not because they're not worn properly, but because I'm nice like that.