Electronic Equipment on Field (ASA)

[NCASAUmp]

This year, ASA changed rule 4-7-C-5 to read:

No electronic equipment, to include cell phones, pagers, etc., are al-
lowed to be worn or carried on the playing field.

ASA provided further clarification in RS #11:

Communication / electronic devices, including audio / video equipment, are not allowed on the playing field or in the dugouts. Head phones and ear phones have been used by coaches to communicate from one coaches’ box to the other, to communicate between coaches and the dugout, and from the stands to the dugout. Signs and signals have been stolen while outside the field of play, stands or the outfield area and communicated to coaches or players. Therefore, umpires must prohibit any use of such equipment. Electronic scorebooks, however, are permitted for use by base coaches.

The part in particular that I want to focus on is the bolded part. What should we do with base coaches who want to use an app on their iPhones as their method of scorekeeping?

I think ASA would err on the side of caution and prohibit these devices as well (and my interpretation would be in line with this statement), but with technologies constantly evolving and merging, it may become harder and harder to classify devices as "just a phone" versus "just an electronic scorebook." The distinction between a phone and a personal computer is getting very blurry. The iPad, for example, does not come with any cell phone-based technologies by default, so it conceivably could be used as just an electronic scorebook. However, an app could easily come along and use wifi to communicate with another iPad in the dugout.

For the record, there is no way to "lock" an iPhone or Android-based device into using only that one app. Even if there were, the user can just as easily unlock it and use it as a communication device.

What are your thoughts regarding this matter?

[MrRabbit]

Electronic scorebooks, however, are permitted for use by base coaches.

Why is a base coach keep score?

Guess they must have a not hitting team so they need something to do.

It is a communication device and it is electronic It is illegal.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by MrRabbit

Electronic scorebooks, however, are permitted for use by base coaches.

Why is a base coach keep score?

Guess they must have a not hitting team so they need something to do.

It is a communication device and it is electronic It is illegal.

Well, plenty of base coaches keep score during games, so it's not at all unusual.

My point in bringing all of this up isn't so much for debate as it is awareness. Technology is changing. We all need to be aware of the different technologies that are coming out that could impact the game, and we need to recognize that due to technologies merging (by creating newer devices like iPhones, Android phones and iPads) and becoming more software-driven, we're going to see coaches who will want to use these devices out on the field. I've seen a lot of players on other forums ask questions like, "what's the best softball app for the iPhone?" And yes, they are out there.

Again, I'm not advocating that we allow these devices, as they are still, at their hearts, communication devices. As such, they should be prohibited from being on the field.

[Skahtboi]

Personally, I think ASA and all other organizations should make a stand one way or the other. Either completely disallow electronic devices of any form, for the reasons Dave has already stated, or decide that you are going to allow everything. I lean toward the first, myself. And if that is the course they choose, there should be no exceptions.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Personally, I think ASA and all other organizations should make a stand one way or the other. Either completely disallow electronic devices of any form, for the reasons Dave has already stated, or decide that you are going to allow everything. I lean toward the first, myself. And if that is the course they choose, there should be no exceptions.

I do not disagree. However, it shouldn't be that difficult to notice if the coach is using the "device" for something other than keeping score.

The crux of this change that was discussed in committee seemed to lean toward video. Of course, we have all seen or heard about morons wanting to show the umpire a video of a play for either a ruling or intimidation purposes. OTOH, I could see the point concerning communications with outside concerns. While I believe stealing and interpreting signals is part of any game strategy, it should be within the confines of the field, not with the help of someone posted on top of a hill 200 yds away with high-power binoculars.

Yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds, but who on here that has been around a while would put that past some coaches/parents you have encountered?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

However, it shouldn't be that difficult to notice if the coach is using the "device" for something other than keeping score.

During a game, how much do you, or any of us, ever notice what a coach is doing? If they are using their iPhone with a scoring app to stay within the strictest confines of the rule, how can we notice if they send a text or email?
If they have their scoring device out there, and it is, as Dave suggested, an iPad, are you going to know whether or not they are communicating online with anyother individual, say on the hill 200 ft away with high powered binoculars? No....to prevent any communication, it is easier just to do away with all electronic devices. Paper and pen/pencil have worked well for ages, if score keeping is all that they are interested in.

[shagpal]

if an coach has an electronic communications device because he/she is an emergency response professional, then he/she is allowed to have or wear it.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by shagpal

if an coach has an electronic communications device because he/she is an emergency response professional, then he/she is allowed to have or wear it.

ASA 4.7.5 does not support this.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

ASA 4.7.5 does not support this.

I agree, and there will be no exceptions. And I am not concerned about the communications as much as I am the bulkiness and danger to others should they get involved in a play. If it is small, like a cell phone, pager, etc. they can keep it in their pocket where the umpire cannot see it. If it goes off and they need to respond, that individual may elect to leave the field and respond accordingly.

I deal with police, firefighters and EMTs all the time on the field. If the need to have communications equipment, someone on the bench can monitor it while they elect to enter the field.

If they have a problem with that, I guess they shouldn't have planned to be on the field while they were working.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I guess they shouldn't have planned to be on the field while they were working.

Around most of small town America the firefighters and EMT's are volunteers. They aren't "working". They're on call. They go about their daily routines untill the beeper beeps.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Around most of small town America the firefighters and EMT's are volunteers. They aren't "working". They're on call. They go about their daily routines untill the beeper beeps.

If we're ONLY talking Tuesday night rec league, I have no problem with allowing an on-call emergency services worker keep his radio on his belt so long as:

1 - It doesn't cause any major distractions on the field (ie., constant chatter)
2 - It doesn't pose any safety problems for anyone.

Most of these radios are now pretty small. I can't imagine the radios I've seen causing any problems on the field, and the wearer can turn it down pretty easily.

Common sense needs to be applied here. By rule, would I be justified in having him remove it from the field? Yes. Am I going to ask an emergency services worker to do so? If the two conditions above are met, my answer is no, I won't ask him/her to remove the radio.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Around most of small town America the firefighters and EMT's are volunteers. They aren't "working". They're on call. They go about their daily routines untill the beeper beeps.

Yes, that is mainly to I am referring. But it really doesn't make any difference to the thread.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by shagpal

if an coach has an electronic communications device because he/she is an emergency response professional, then he/she is allowed to have or wear it.

Remember, these rules are for championship play, not local leagues. If you want to allow this in local Tuesday night league play, that's your prerogative. I would only ask to make sure that said radio does not pose a distraction to other players.

But as far as ASA is concerned with respect to Championship play, this is not allowed.

Period.

[shagpal]

yeah, I gotta read better. I didn't even notice the ASA in the subject till you pointed to it. I was thinking FED.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Remember, these rules are for championship play, not local leagues. If you want to allow this in local Tuesday night league play, that's your prerogative. I would only ask to make sure that said radio does not pose a distraction to other players.

But as far as ASA is concerned with respect to Championship play, this is not allowed.

Period.