I think Irish's point is that it wasn't our call to tell the coach to go out and find chin straps for the next day.

But I believe it is our call to decide whether or not the current game gets played. We had eight or so batting helmets that were not in compliance with the rules. IMHO, we did have the authority to not play the game until the coach made those helmets compliant.

Now, if the TD got involved and said, "Play the game anyway," I guess that's within his/her purview. I'm curious if a TD would make that decision.

Not any I've come across.

How many helmets did you have in compliance?

Not a one. All of their helmets were missing straps.

This all stems from LRAMBF. They play all season under absurd rules and then are suddenly taken aback when asked to play real softball.

I think Irish was saying it's the TD's call to allow the team to play if they weren't in compliance. Not the umpires. "Sir, I cannot let your batters bat without chinstraps unless the TD tells me to waive that rule for you." And only one TD I know around here would have let them play (that one ... anything for a buck, ALWAYS sides with teams, came onto my field once and wouldn't leave and I was the one that got in trouble... I don't work there anymore.

Or is it lack of enforcement by the "regular season" umps. :rolleyes:

Could be.

However, when I see some team trying to put their ODB's in the wrong circle, I know that team is coming from some place that has made up rules, and I'm anticipating something idiotic from that coach (or parents or both) at some point.

I've umpired in leagues, baseball mostly (can't recall ever seeing it in softball) where they have a local safety rule to keep the ODB behind the batter up to bat because there is very little room in foul territory. I don't have a problem with that.

But in this case, the ODB went to the wrong circle because she was a lefty. That obviously has nothing to do with safety.

You never know what people think is "safety" related. :)

I have no problem with the on-deck batter being behind the hitter in youth sports. It's amazing, though, that this is a question I have to ask just about every game I'm coaching this year, though.

ON-DECK CIRCLE: The area nearest the offensive team’s dugout in which the next batter is restricted to before the release of the pitch.

ODB is on her side of the field, regardless of handedness of the batter.
If the facilities don't allow for safe enough distance, they stay behind the fence.

Between innings, I'm positioned on the defense side of the plate & first batter warms up on her side.

Coach complaining: parents being sarcastic? Was the team from NY or NJ? :)

Are chin straps required to be on the helmets at the pre game inspection?

If they are not there, I ususally ask the coach...."you have chin straps for the helmets, right?"

If a batter comes to the plate without a chin strap, I will stop play and not let her bat until there is a chin strap in place.

My experience is that a team will have a number of chin straps that they switch between helmets.

Local rules and all that. I ask because it's been 80% behind the batter for us this season. Only 2 umpires have mentioned proper ASA rules. I do whatever they ask in this regard...I pick my battles.

If the purpose of the inspection of "hats and bats" is to ensure compliance with the rules, absolutely, IMHO. Otherwise, why bother having the inspection at pre-game? We could just do a cursory exam as each batter comes to the plate.

That's always been my experience as well, until this particular team showed up.