From another board

[chapmaja]

OK what is the opinion on this from another board.

Through the channels of travel buddies we are aware of a player using a bat which was doctored by a parent. High school rules dictate ejection for both the player and head coach and there have been criminal suits against those using a doctored bat and injuring an opposing player which is what the guidelines of bat regulations have been established to prevent. The question is how does one go about protesting a bat to an umpire? Is it in the umpires jurisdiction to confiscate a bat or to request pulling off an end cap to see if the bat was shaved?

[prab]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

OK what is the opinion on this from another board.

Is it in the umpires jurisdiction to confiscate a bat or to request pulling off an end cap to see if the bat was shaved?

Here is my non lawyer take:

Confiscate - NO! Legal or not it is someone else's property.

Request end cap removal/inspection YES, demand NO! Hopefully you inspected the bat during your pre-game activities. Coach has certified that all equipment is legal. Re-inspect bat, note make, model, etc and report to your state governing body. If alteration is sophisticated enough to need expert analysis, you should not be held liable for missing it.

Classy parents, classy coach!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by prab

Here is my non lawyer take:

Confiscate - NO! Legal or not it is someone else's property.

If the umpire determines the bat to be altered or illegal, absolutely confiscate the bat for the duration of that game/tournament. I'm not talking about taking someone's word for it, but actually being able to point to something for the purpose of such a decision. The bat will be returned when that game/tournament is complete. Or the player can take the bat and leave. When you agree to play in competition, you agree to the rules of that competition. And it is totally up to the player whether they want to play or not.

Like it or not, people who are willing to cheat are not trustworthy and are very likely to attempt to use the bat later in that or subsequent games.

Request end cap removal/inspection YES, demand NO! Hopefully you inspected the bat during your pre-game activities. Coach has certified that all equipment is legal. Re-inspect bat, note make, model, etc and report to your state governing body. If alteration is sophisticated enough to need expert analysis, you should not be held liable for missing it.

Classy parents, classy coach!

Removing the cap IS altering the bat. The umpire is not liable for the use of an altered bat unless it can be determined that the umpire knowingly permitted its use after finding it to be altered.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by prab

Here is my non lawyer take:

Confiscate - NO! Legal or not it is someone else's property.

It just means remove it from the game, not keeping it forever.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

OK what is the opinion on this from another board.

Through the channels of travel buddies we are aware of a player using a bat which was doctored by a parent. High school rules dictate ejection for both the player and head coach and there have been criminal suits against those using a doctored bat and injuring an opposing player which is what the guidelines of bat regulations have been established to prevent. The question is how does one go about protesting a bat to an umpire? Is it in the umpires jurisdiction to confiscate a bat or to request pulling off an end cap to see if the bat was shaved?

Hearsay. Inadmissible.

If you personally see something that indicates it was altered then do something. But if you're going to act on rumor then someone will just start a rumor about every bat in the other team's arsenal.