Confront or Leave Alone?

[Manny A]

So I was BU in a HS Varsity game last night. When I moved to C after a base steal of second, I noticed that the visiting team's F6 had a stud earring on the top of her left ear. During a break in the action, I moved closer to F6 and told her, "Hey, 13, when you go back to the dugout, please remove your earring." She said she forgot she had it on, and she would comply.

An inning later, I was back in C and looked to see if F6 took care of the issue, and she had. But then as I went back to the bag on attempted pickoff where F4 slid over to cover, I saw that F4 had an earring on the top of her right ear! WTH?! After the inning ended, I got F4's attention as she headed for her dugout, telling her, "Hey 6, make sure you take off that earring!"

So now we go to the next inning, and I eventually work my way over to C again. I look at F4, and I don't see the earring anymore. Rather, I see a bandage! Gawddamm!t!

I wanted to approach the head coach between innings and tell him, "Coach, I saw 6 with an earring and told her to take care of it. Now she has a bandaid on that ear. I'm going to assume there's no earring under that bandaid, but if there is, both of you are going to be restricted to the bench." But after I had already gotten into a couple of "discussions" with them over their bat inspection and their desire to sit on buckets (all three coaches!) outside the far end of the dugout, I just let it go. The game was a blow-out, the weather was unfavorable, and I just wanted to get out of there and go home.

What would you have done in that situation?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Manny A

...What would you have done in that situation?

I don't like being the jewelry police, but HS requires it.

And, since this was a HS game, I would have called time when I first saw the jewelry and warned the head coach that his shortstop was wearing an earring. This would have accomplished several things: the coach would likely lecture his entire team to remove the jewelry, and it would have likely resulted in the second offense not happening, but if it did it would have given the required team warning so subsequent violations could be handled properly with the player and coach restricted to the bench.

[RKBUmp]

Issue the warning on the first offense and restrict the player and head coach on the 2nd and they will most likely remember to get their jewelry off the next time.

[CecilOne]

And don't let it wait until the player goes off the field.

And don't let it go because they violate other rules.

Injuries are just as bad, worse if you are responsible for allowing them, in a blowout or in bad weather.

[AtlUmpSteve]

FWIW.

I often address this situation as you did; the first time. No way they avoid an official warning and live time public removal on the second offense.

If coach came out and asked, my response is: 1) I already cut you slack you didn't earn by not embarassing the girl the first time, but 2) it is clear you don't believe the rules apply to you and your players, so I guess I do have to be the jewelry police, and enforce every other nitpicking rule now.

Because, tomorrow, you are the "other guy" that allowed her to put the bandaid over it.

[Skahtboi]

I am in the camp with the other respondents. Warn the coach on the first offense, and restrict both player and coach on the second.

[Insane Blue]

Just today I had a catcher with band-aids on both ears. first time the helmet came off I stopped action and had her remove them. I got the usual response they are new and will get infected. I gave her the same choice I always do you remove them or I remove you.

[charliej47]

First game this year and as the home team is taking warm up I spot the 1st base wearing a necklace. I ask her if she is going to remove it and she said "I don't have anything on."

I asked her to touch her neck and tell me what she feels. She got very embarrassed and ran off the field.

When she came back, she apologized.

Doing the pre-game we reminded the coaches about jewelry. The HC stated that his 1st base would never forget again.

[CecilOne]

He/she, talking to the coach, can not play with that; not "take it off" or 'remove it or the like.

[IRISHMAFIA]

OOO Yes, I know the Fed's take. Yet my response is still OOO

[Crabby_Bob]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

He/she, talking to the coach, can not play with that; not "take it off" or 'remove it or the like.

Sometimes, they really can play with it on.

[shagpal]

just stick with college

[PATRICK]

I do so many NCAA games early, that by the time I start getting HS games, I don't even see the jewelry.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

OOO Yes, I know the Fed's take. Yet my response is still OOO

It is, I agree. However, when in Rome......

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

FWIW.

I often address this situation as you did; the first time. No way they avoid an official warning and live time public removal on the second offense.

If coach came out and asked, my response is: 1) I already cut you slack you didn't earn by not embarassing the girl the first time, but 2) it is clear you don't believe the rules apply to you and your players, so I guess I do have to be the jewelry police, and enforce every other nitpicking rule now.

Because, tomorrow, you are the "other guy" that allowed her to put the bandaid over it.

Well, if someone accused me of being the "other guy", I would defend myself by saying I didn't overtly allow it. It's not as if she came over and asked, "Is this okay, Blue?" and I answered Yes.

I suppose I need to be more officious when it comes to jewelry. I usually pick my battles, and this is not one of them I pick. I cringe when partners of mine make a big show of calling Time and making a player go to her dugout to remove a necklace or earring. The chances of something happening from the moment I see it to when I tell them to take it off when they get back to the dugout is infinitesimal.

Oh well, lesson learned...