Left to my discretion...or black and white?

[IRISHMAFIA]

To start, if it is a league rule, it isn't something you or the other team can waive. An umpire certainly does not have the authority to determine which rules applications/misinterpretations upon which they will or will not accept a protest.

OTOH, it isn't, nor should it be the umpire's job unless the league will accept and pay the umpire for the forfeits that will result in not allowing players to participate without the proper uniform. Trust me, forfeit a couple of games and this silliness will stop.

Suggestion: Local leagues have same rules here. Uniform must be worn by 5/15. After that date, the OFFENDED team may protest an opponent not in the proper uniform in the first three innings of the game while that player is the batter. The penalty is the player is ruled out.

Stop right there. I can hear people thinking now about "what if the player doesn't enter the game until the fourth inning" or "but what if s/he doesn't get to bat until the fourth inning", etc. The only caveat is that team members may not change shirts as they come to bat in order to avoid the rule. Otherwise, I don't care what sorry-*** excuse one has, if it isn't in the first three innings, any protest is ignored and they can take it up with the league.

This places the onus of the LEAGUE uniform rule upon the LEAGUE members and eliminates the umpire from any type of associated action other than ringing up the out AFTER the defense insists on enforcing the LEAGUE uniform rule.