Fed equipment checks
With the Fed emphasizing equipment checks this year, I once again wonder why Fed softball umpires must check equipment, but Fed baseball umpires don't. I accept that I have to, and I don't have a big problem, but I still wonder why the difference. I assume that Fed baseball and Fed softball offices are down the hall from each other in Indy, and that the heads may even have lunch in the cafeteria sometimes :rolleyes:. Really, anyone know why something that is supposedly so important is handled so differently between the sports?
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In HS baseball in Texas, coaches have to sign a card before the game saying their team's equipment is legal by rule and players are properly equipped.
We will still check a team's equipment if requested by the coach. If the opposing coach requests an equipment check of the other team's equipment, they have to specify the particular piece of equipment they feel is not legal. BTW, we were HAPPY when the requirement to check equipment was dropped. |
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When the NCAA stopped requiring baseball umpires to inspect equipment, I recall reading in a press release that they didn't want umpires inside the dugouts prior to game time putting themselves at risk of being subjected to critical comments from players or coaches. I guess this problem was relatively common, particularly if the crew was involved in a disputed call in a previous game.
Maybe that's the case in FED baseball as well. They tend to follow the NCAA's lead in rule changes. And as you're probably aware, NCAA softball umpires are still required to check bats before each game. So the college level has different requirements, just like in FED. |
IMO, the only legitimate rationale for the umpire to check equipment pre-game is for safety issues, such as loose face guards, cracked helmets, dented bats, etc.
It is silly to think that a team that intends to use an illegal bat will present it for pre-game inspection. |
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However, it should be noted that such a directive will not absolve you of any legal action. |
I always viewed the equipment check as a way to possibly eliminate illegal or inappropriate equipment. I never tell the team, as so many umpires do, that "you're all good" or "everything is legal." I'm not there to approve the equipment. I'm there to help screen illegal or inappropriate equipment.
At the coaches' pre-game conference (ground rules) I always ask each coach, "Are all of your players legally and properly equipped and will they remain so for the entirety of the game?" Nothing will keep your name off of the defendant/respondent list on the law suit. But checking the equipment and in particular asking that question shifts much of the liability to the coach. Asking the question is also helpful when Mary comes to bat in the second inning and she's wearing illegally jewelry or a helmet that doesn't meet the requirements. Then you can say, "Coach, you assured me prior to the game that your players were legally and properly equipped; so why is #4 wearing a watch; why doesn't #9 have a face mask, etc.?" They very quickly realize that they better get ahold of the situation. |
NCAA last year required we checked bats between games of a double header, not just at the beginning.
Some states have said they don't want equipment checked in either baseball or softball. They believe the coaches certifying prior to game time is enough. |
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I heard bollinger is terrible to deal with.
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Not saying others haven't had issues, it is not uncommon especially since many never read their policy and thing the insurance companies are supposed to act like Glinda and just solve problems with the flick of a wand. But that wasn't the insurance to which I was referring. |
naso?
I heard nightmare stories for teams over on heybucket, so the claims were for teams and not umpires. Quote:
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I believe the point is that when a player is injured, the parents' first thought, aside from anger, is to submit an insurance claim. When they then think of a windfall, or blame, or are contacted by an ambulance chaser, the first thoughts aren't necessarily to blame the umpires. Very often, law suits or threats of lawsuits start with other parties; and THEIR insurers immediately respond with a "share the blame" response.
In most states, as I understand it, the more parties held even partially accountable limits the liability of the other parties. So, even if the field owner should be primarily liable, their insurer wants anyone/everyone else that may have pockets (or their own insurance) added. In simple terms, if the cost is to be $100,000, they want to add people that may thrown $10,000 at it to make it go away. Add enough other people with even unlikely liability but with insurance, they can lessen their exposure. I, also, have had good results from Bollinger, to the extent of their coverage, when working to get coverage for others (I have never needed to file myself, thankfully. They will decline coverage if the umpire (or player) files after the deadline; and they do only cover what they cover. If you understand what they cover, and file timely, they get it done. |
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You've "heard stories"? Yeah, there is a viable source. And actually, I was referring to the insurance company attempting to recoup any cost. This is why signed waivers do not completely protect people from lawsuits. Even though they would still be protected by Bollinger as long as the original event was ASA sanctioned, some umpires will not continue working a game if it ends prematurely. |
heybucket is a forum, so the sources are anonymous. but, why would anyone lie?
I would like to know, since I decided to go with additional bollinger thru ASA for ncaa. I let naso expire and I have not yet renewed. Quote:
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IOW, people who are attempting to deflect blame or examples of their failure to act accordingly. Quote:
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I have personally filed two claims with Bollinger under my ASA umpire insurance (one relatively small, the other over $20k when it was all said an done)
In either case, I had little trouble with Bollinger. Yes, getting 'itemized' bill were a pain, but once I told the hospital what type of form I needed in the bills, it was a breeze. I'll stand behind ASA's insurance as one of the best and convenient. Like any insurance claim, one needs to follow the instructions in the claim forms. |
I am just reflecting the hearsay. I have no experience to reference, so I can only work off of others.
I went w/ the additional bollinger already to cover HS and NCAA, so I did take it as rumors. the extra bollinger was a $25 bump up from reg ASA dues. I may still renew naso since the coverage is higher. Quote:
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I have always been charged $25 for the extra bollinger.
are you saying that there are ASA regions that add a profit margin on top of the cost on its umpires? :eek: Quote:
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The key here is that you must register a minimum of 10 umpires to get the policy. In some areas, that just isn't something that is going to happen. |
We check hats and bats every game here. I've worked four games so far and found one bat with no ASA assignation and one catcher's helmet/mask that had several nuts and bolts missing. We still ask head coaches if players are properly equipped and require a verbal response. Better safe than sorry.
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