Confront or Leave Alone?

[PATRICK]

I just joined a softball chapter in NYS and was instructed that if I see a band-aid on the ear, to ignore it. If if comes loose and I can see jewelry, then deal with it.

[Andy]

Our instructions with band aids or tape is to ask the player and/or coach if there is jewelry under it. If the answer is yes, the option is given to the player to remove it and play or not remove it and not play.

If the answer is no, we are to accept it and go forward.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Andy

Our instructions with band aids or tape is to ask the player and/or coach if there is jewelry under it. If the answer is yes, the option is given to the player to remove it and play or not remove it and not play.

If the answer is no, we are to accept it and go forward.

Right, that is a better way, or just "you can't play with jewelry if there is any under there".

I am not willing to be responsible for allowing a rule violation to continue, let alone a safety rule. Even if the rule might be OOO.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Andy

Our instructions with band aids or tape is to ask the player and/or coach if there is jewelry under it. If the answer is yes, the option is given to the player to remove it and play or not remove it and not play.

If the answer is no, we are to accept it and go forward.

I think whoever gave you those instructions needs to ask another level up if that's the instruction they should be giving...

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I think whoever gave you those instructions needs to ask another level up if that's the instruction they should be giving...

Why? What would you say differently?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Why? What would you say differently?

If you know there's jewelry there and you don't have it removed, you are allowing them to break the rules and you are creating a safety hazard.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

If you know there's jewelry there and you don't have it removed, you are allowing them to break the rules and you are creating a safety hazard.

So, your difference with Andy is the possibility of accepting the player's word that it is not when you know it is. Hopefully, if you know it is, the question is not asked, as that means "visible".

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

So, your difference with Andy is the possibility of accepting the player's word that it is not when you know it is. Hopefully, if you know it is, the question is not asked, as that means "visible".

In the situation we're discussing, the umpire knows - and then suddenly a band-aid is there where the earring was. Letting it go at this point is irresponsible.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by PATRICK

I just joined a softball chapter in NYS and was instructed that if I see a band-aid on the ear, to ignore it. If if comes loose and I can see jewelry, then deal with it.

Try reading what the umpire manual says because you are being grossly misinformed by this organization.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Try reading what the umpire manual says because you are being grossly misinformed by this organization.

Something to consider. What is you require a player to remove band aids on her ears because it might be covering an earring and there is no earring, but an infected ear. You have now opened yourself to possible legal liability for making her remove the bandages when they were not covering anything illegal.

This is no different than in high school basketball or volleyball with a belly button ring. (or softball for that matter). We can't ask a player to lift their shirt up so we can see if they are wearing jewelry, but if during the course of play, jewelry that was under the uniform becomes exposed, we have to deal with it according to the rules. This is the same with a tongue ring. If we can't see it, there is nothing to call, but if the player sticks his/her tongue out and it is visible now we need to enforce the rule because the player allowed it to be visible and it is illegal to wear jewelry.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

Something to consider. What is you require a player to remove band aids on her ears because it might be covering an earring and there is no earring, but an infected ear. You have now opened yourself to possible legal liability for making her remove the bandages when they were not covering anything illegal.

This is no different than in high school basketball or volleyball with a belly button ring. (or softball for that matter). We can't ask a player to lift their shirt up so we can see if they are wearing jewelry, but if during the course of play, jewelry that was under the uniform becomes exposed, we have to deal with it according to the rules. This is the same with a tongue ring. If we can't see it, there is nothing to call, but if the player sticks his/her tongue out and it is visible now we need to enforce the rule because the player allowed it to be visible and it is illegal to wear jewelry.

Already considered and already addressed in our manual. But thank you anyway.