Being Looked Upon as an OOJ

[IRISHMAFIA]

AFA the ODC is concerned, if the field is that small that room is limited, the ODC should be outside the fence with a team area designation.

And, of course, no one has a problem with alleged "safety" rules, right up until the whining starts because this player said this or called her that or is accused of trying to steal signs or blocking the coach giving signs, yada, yada, yada.....and yes, it DOES happen and I pity the umpire who thinks that once a comment to that effect is made, it will stop with a warning.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

AFA the ODC is concerned, if the field is that small that room is limited, the ODC should be outside the fence with a team area designation.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And, of course, no one has a problem with alleged "safety" rules, right up until the whining starts because this player said this or called her that or is accused of trying to steal signs or blocking the coach giving signs, yada, yada, yada.....and yes, it DOES happen and I pity the umpire who thinks that once a comment to that effect is made, it will stop with a warning.

Maybe it's the mythical "Minnesota Nice", but we've been using this in girls fastpitch for a number of years in both high school and travel ball from 10U through 18U, and speaking personally, I've had no problems at all in any of the games I've umpired. I still don't like the rule (I think it is pointless and silly), but it has created no problems in my games.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Where in the rule book does it allow the umpire crew to waive the required equipment?

Nowhere, I was questioning your comment that the TD could overrule a book rule.

"That is not your call. The is up to the TD, not the umpire"

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Nowhere, I was questioning your comment that the TD could overrule a book rule.

"That is not your call. The is up to the TD, not the umpire"

The TD has the authority to do whatever necessary to complete the tournament. I think it is ridiculous that they can, but my point actually was the umpire CANNOT.

BTW, this is routine in your area when it came to state tournaments whether it was a uniform or ball or double-base or chin straps or whatever.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I worked one day of our State ASA tourney this past weekend.

It started during the equipment check. Not one batting helmet had a chin strap, as required by ASA rules. When my partner and I pointed it out, we of course got the, "Well, the other umpires..." whine. Against our better judgment, we let it go and told them they needed to get chin straps for the next day's play.

No need for the crew to struggle with the decision to 'go with' or "against [its] better judgement."
It was....."our State ASA tourney...." as such, it was Championship play. As a crew, why would you choose to set aside 3.5-E without consultation (either on-site or by phone) with the TD or the UIC assigned to the site?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

No need for the crew to struggle with the decision to 'go with' or "against [its] better judgement."
It was....."our State ASA tourney...." as such, it was Championship play. As a crew, why would you choose to set aside 3.5-E without consultation (either on-site or by phone) with the TD or the UIC assigned to the site?

Because I know the TD personally, and she would have said the same thing. I wasn't going to waste the time trying to get a hold of her to get an answer that I know quite well what it would be.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Because I know the TD personally, and she would have said the same thing. I wasn't going to waste the time trying to get a hold of her to get an answer that I know quite well what it would be.

Except that if someone got hurt, you would have been duly authorized to make the exception instead of hanging out there on your own.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Because I know the TD personally, and she would have said the same thing. I wasn't going to waste the time trying to get a hold of her to get an answer that I know quite well what it would be.

OK....but that decision on your part contributed to the game getting of to a 'bumpy' start, and as indicated in your OP, got bumpier from a game management standpoint.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

OK....but that decision on your part contributed to the game getting of to a 'bumpy' start, and as indicated in your OP, got bumpier from a game management standpoint.

And what do you suggest I should have done differently to prevent the 'bumpy' start? Ignore the missing chin straps and not say anything? Gotten the TD involved?

I thought what my partner and I did was rather reasonable under the circumstances. Neither of us came across as jerks. We asked the question, they told us they didn't have any and that previous umpires didn't say anything, and we decided to play the game without them. We made no rude comments like, "Well, your previous umpires were wrong," or, "Don't you guys know the rules?" We simply told them they needed to get some for the next day, and we went on with our checks.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Manny A

And what do you suggest I should have done differently to prevent the 'bumpy' start? Ignore the missing chin straps and not say anything? Gotten the TD involved?

I think we're pretty unanimous on "gotten the TD involved". Waiving that requirement is NOT your call, even if you knew what the call would be. (PS - exactly one TD I work with would have waived this requirement --- too much liability).