ASA Illegal/Non-approved bat approved by umpire

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Though the umpire's manual instructs the umpires to check the equipment, failure to do so or making an error in judgment at this point is not a matter of rule. I've always considered the inspection as much a courtesy and preventive umpiring as it is an assigned duty. When it comes right down to it, insuring all equipment used is legal and/or approved by the sanctioning body is the responsibility of the team and players. A piece of illegal/non-approved equipment being missed, overlooked or not presented for inspection does not magically make that piece of equipment legal for that game.

In my opinion, if an umpire fails to check the bats at the beginning of the game, then they are blindly and in blanket-fashion telling the team, "I approve of all of your equipment." There is no excuse for not checking bats at the beginning of the game (unless it's an outlaw league/tourney).

An umpire should get his/her @$$ CHEWED if they fail at that one basic task. That's just plain laziness, and it completely opens them up in terms of liability should someone get hurt when an illegal or non-approved piece of equipment is used. Just plain irresponsible.

[Dakota]

We were once instructed at our annual rules clinic by the state UIC that for routine league games, if it looked like a bat, it was legel.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Dakota

We were once instructed at our annual rules clinic by the state UIC that for routine league games, if it looked like a bat, it was legel.

I hope s/he has a good lawyer.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Dakota

We were once instructed at our annual rules clinic by the state UIC that for routine league games, if it looked like a bat, it was legel.

See if anyone can guess what ASA district commissioner in Pennsylvania doesn't want umpires to waste time by inspecting equipment

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

In my opinion, if an umpire fails to check the bats at the beginning of the game, then they are blindly and in blanket-fashion telling the team, "I approve of all of your equipment." There is no excuse for not checking bats at the beginning of the game (unless it's an outlaw league/tourney).

An umpire should get his/her @$$ CHEWED if they fail at that one basic task. That's just plain laziness, and it completely opens them up in terms of liability should someone get hurt when an illegal or non-approved piece of equipment is used. Just plain irresponsible.

No, because there is no inventory. There is absolutely nothing documented. For as much as anyone knows, that particular bat was not presented for inspection. Are you going to go through their equipment bag?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

No, because there is no inventory. There is absolutely nothing documented. For as much as anyone knows, that particular bat was not presented for inspection. Are you going to go through their equipment bag?

No, but I have told players to bring out every single bat they have in the dugout. Don't care if they're going to use it or not, it's going to get inspected.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

No, but I have told players to bring out every single bat they have in the dugout. Don't care if they're going to use it or not, it's going to get inspected.

So if a bat wasn't inspected pre-game (say, the player showed up after you did the inspection), you're not allowing it to be used? (Not trying to be a snot, but a devil's advocate)

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

So if a bat wasn't inspected pre-game (say, the player showed up after you did the inspection), you're not allowing it to be used? (Not trying to be a snot, but a devil's advocate)

If it's league, I'll inspect it as the batter comes up to bat, so long as I can do so quickly while keeping the game moving. It will take longer to tell them to get another bat and listen to their sob story than it would for me to just inspect it. If it's tourney, there'd better be a darn good reason why it wasn't available pre-game.

If a player approaches me when they step into the box and says, "hey, I showed up late, I'd like you to look at this for me," I'll usually oblige them. They're acting in good faith in attempting to follow the rules, and if the bat's no good, I'll just have them get another bat. No biggie.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

No, but I have told players to bring out every single bat they have in the dugout. Don't care if they're going to use it or not, it's going to get inspected.

And if they don't?

How do you know if a player keeps a bat in his/her bag?

[wadeintothem]

NCASA is a crusader on a mission.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

NCASA is a crusader on a mission.

Damn straight. I'm sick of all of this crap with bats!

[HugoTafurst]

FWIW:

I do not approve bats.
I check bats as required.

I request the bats be set out in front of the dugout.
I do not hunt for bats.
I remove any non-approved bats that I find.

Should a non-approved bat end up being used (and discovered) I will follow the rule for dealing with an illegal bat.

No problem

[Chewy]

Check the Bats every game, and get comment after comment about being the only ump that checks bats.

So What! Your Freak, or Ultra II is still not an approved bat whether Joe Slacker ump let you use it last weak or not!

Keep Crusading NCASA!

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And if they don't?

How do you know if a player keeps a bat in his/her bag?

I ask them, "anything in there?" while pointing to their bag. Most of the time, I get honest responses. They usually leave the tops unzipped, so it's pretty easy to spot.