NFHS - Umpire Responsible for Clearing bat

[NSABill]

Thank you my Friend.
Should have used spell check.
Have a good season.

[IRISHMAFIA]

It always amazes me how people think that just because they are unaware of something that it is a new idea or hasn't already been discussed or actually even tested or used.

Next thing you know, someone is going to want to require the wearing of gloves by the defense put in the book.

Just 51 weeks until we all get the opportunity to talk to umpires from all over the country.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

It always amazes me how people think that just because they are unaware of something that it is a new idea or hasn't already been discussed or actually even tested or used.

Next thing you know, someone is going to want to require the wearing of gloves by the defense put in the book.

Just 51 weeks until we all get the opportunity to talk to umpires from all over the country.

Amazingly, you still miss the point. How is it that ASA writes a 50 page guide on safety and yet this still isn't covered. This is a more important issue than the majority of the dribble they publish in the guide. ASA is unwilling to devote a paragraph or two on this topic? That's rather disturbing. If it's that important, take a minute or two to write something about it.

Odd how umpires want to get involved with lineup cards more than safety issues.

[okla21fan]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

ASA is unwilling to devote a paragraph or two on this topic?

Neither is NCAA or NFHS. (and every other softball 'alphabet' ) See a trend here? You think there might be a reason for this?

here is a hint...... its a different game

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by okla21fan

Neither is NCAA or NFHS. (and every other softball 'alphabet' ) See a trend here? You think there might be a reason for this?

here is a hint...... its a different game

Or PONY, or USSSA, or...

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Or PONY, or USSSA, or...

But probably not in the "My Game/My Field Officials Assn."

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

But probably not in the "My Game/My Field Officials Assn."

Sorry, Mike. That's one of the sanctioning bodies I'm not involved with.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

But probably not in the "My Game/My Field Officials Assn."

I believe that will be changing in PONY for 2013. PONY - Protect Our Nation's Youth. We, as umpires, aren't doing that if we leave a three feet piece of metal in the players' way when we can reasonable do away with the obstacle.

There have been some articles written in Referee and Officiating.Com regarding bat removal. They often have two attorneys write for them as well. The attorneys screen issues dealing with safety. I cannot speak for them, but I highly doubt these articles would get past the editors if the attorneys disagreed with the teachings contained therein.

Again, most associations don't have 50 page manifestos on safety. ASA does. So why have they neglected this issue? If it is important enough to bring up in the 50+ clinics all the clones have been to, why is it not important enough for ASA to put in writing. Even if ASA says NOT to remove the bats, wouldn't ASA want to put that in writing so that they can at least say, "We tell umpires not to remove the bat. I don't know what that umpire was doing." I, of course, would disagree with that ruling but would likely go along with it since that's what ASA wants.

NCAA deals solely with older players. Though there may be a 17 year old thrown in there every so often, most of their players are legally adults and take on greater responsibility for themselves. Only without intelligence can one state that a 21 year old college athlete and a 10u player have equal ability to deal with obstacles on the field. With that said, even in NCAA I am moving the bat. They haven't told me not to and only a fool would leave it sitting there if they could reasonably remove it.

Stop thinking like an official and start thinking like an adult with common sense. "Gee, I can leave the bat in the way or I can remove it. I guess I'll leave it."

No one ever told me to remove my neighbor's garbage can from the middle of the street when the wind blew it over there. But I still moved it so that no one would crash into it. Anyone who told me that I was wrong to move it would be an idiot. There's no other way to put it. I could have left it - that wouldn't have been right but it would have been within my right to leave it.

I would love to cross examine the umpire who left the bat there and hear the only reason why he left it there was "Because a clinician at the ASA camp told me to." Good luck. I hope you have extra insurance. And even better luck getting the person from ASA who told you that to appear in court.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Amazingly, you still miss the point. How is it that ASA writes a 50 page guide on safety and yet this still isn't covered. This is a more important issue than the majority of the dribble they publish in the guide. ASA is unwilling to devote a paragraph or two on this topic? That's rather disturbing. If it's that important, take a minute or two to write something about it.

Odd how umpires want to get involved with lineup cards more than safety issues.

Hmmmmmmmm
ASA does not consider this something they need to get involved with. NCAA does not consider this as something they want to be involved with. Nor do some/most of the major sanctioning bodies consider this as something worthy to be involved with. Here's a suggestion - submit a rule change suggestion. Until it is a rule, stop looking for boogers.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Amazingly, you still miss the point. How is it that ASA writes a 50 page guide on safety and yet this still isn't covered. This is a more important issue than the majority of the dribble they publish in the guide. ASA is unwilling to devote a paragraph or two on this topic? That's rather disturbing. If it's that important, take a minute or two to write something about it.

Odd how umpires want to get involved with lineup cards more than safety issues.

I kind of think you're making the opposing point here, you just don't realize it.

How is it that ASA/NCAA/NFHS have written long guides on safety, and you STILL think something that is not in there should be? Did it not occur to you that when 100 people out of 100 tell you that you are wrong, from near the very top of the food chain on down to us peons who attend as many clinics as possible (even after 18 years) and hear advice from literally hundreds of other people (each ... so now were talking potentially 10000 people) who also say EXACTLY the same thing... perhaps it is you, and not the 10000 people, who are wrong?