I agree Bugsy. I work in healthcare and have to wear a mask all day and the thought of a mask when I ump doesn’t sound like fun. It will also fog up my glassesJust saw where the state is mandating umpires wear a face covering at all times. I umpire in the big tournaments in my area. It's fun money and not a required income, but this is making me think about wanting to umpire this Summer now. I can't imagine doing a double header in June/July in 80 degrees and being humid out having a face mask on for 1.5-2 hours for a game... then add in if you are at the plate... Yikes!!
For our league, the coaches are supposed to put the game ball in to play when a foul ball occurs. The umpires will not come into contact with them throughout a game.The other guideline I find confusing is each team has their own set of game balls. Each teams set of game balls will be held in the same ball bag worn by umpires. So they are going into the same "contaminated" storage space. Unless each bent just throws a ball back into play after a foul ball or something...
Bugsy, do you get assigned games (on days you can work) or do you pick stuff up on your own? What are you hearing from your colleagues? It's my personal opinion that Umps should be behind the pitcher. I'd think it'd be a safety concern to wear a mask under your...mask. One you couldn't come close to a proper fit, what happens when you pull your catcher mask off and your safety mask covers your eyes or more likely...just come off with it. Then you just keep putting the same dirty mask on every few batters?
Also, I believe there will be a major shortage in umpires. One ump behind the pitcher might be all leagues can come up with.
No gum chewing
No seeds
Who was on this working group?
I am aware of you replying on the "Ask the Umpire" thread. I am wondering with these new guidelines, who is responsible at the site during the game to enforce these rules? If I am umpiring a game and see kids in the dugout too close, not using masks do I need to remind the coach, kids or ignore it and let the coach deal with his own team in that regard?
Everyone just polices themselves. These aren't rules that give you an advantage over your opponent if you don't follow them, like 6tt leads, or no stealing, etc. These are rules to help look out for the safety of everyone involved. If you're an umpire it's not your job to make sure everyone is staying 6ft apart, but at the same time if you feel like a team, or even both teams, aren't following the guidelines and are putting yourself and others at risk, my advice would be to say something to the coaches, and if they don't seem to care, go ahead and end the game.I am aware of you replying on the "Ask the Umpire" thread. I am wondering with these new guidelines, who is responsible at the site during the game to enforce these rules? If I am umpiring a game and see kids in the dugout too close, not using masks do I need to remind the coach, kids or ignore it and let the coach deal with his own team in that regard?
For those complaining about having to wear a mask, I figure if I can run around in full MOPP gear in the 130+ degree desert, wearing a small cloth mask during an Ohio summer shouldn't be an issue. A nuance, maybe uncomfortable, but definitely doable.
Just sayin
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No, my point is how difficult it is to do anything in that gear, let alone doing it in 130+ degree heat. Painfully difficult. So if I can do that, handling a cloth mask this summer in Ohio isn't a big deal. And truthfully, tfats exactly what I will be telling my players and their parents if they cry about too.Umpiring a Summer baseball game is nowhere near fighting for freedoms around the world. Our mindset isn't even in the same galaxy. The job of a soldier is way more important than anything we do umpiring a game. We are not facing toxic gases everywhere that could kill us quickly and incapacitate us. The comparison isn't even on the same level.
No, my point is how difficult it is to do anything in that gear, let alone doing it in 130+ degree heat. Painfully difficult. So if I can do that, handling a cloth mask this summer in Ohio isn't a big deal. And truthfully, tfats exactly what I will be telling my players and their parents if they cry about too.
I've heard of some leagues having no stealing.So I'm curious how a first baseman is going to hold the runner on if he can't be within 6 feet of him. Does that mean they will draw a line in the dirt and if you lead off you need to get at least 6 feet away from first base? Will the first baseman have to stand back away from the bag until the runner takes his lead....them step over to the bag?
This is true, thus why you already have some teams canceling their summer seasons.Good luck this Summer. Deciding whether or not to "suck it up" correlates directly to the importance of the job at hand. A solider is right near the top of the list. An umpire or a third baseman on a Summer team, meh. Not that important.
The 6ft. rule does not apply during game action, and that should be considered game action.So I'm curious how a first baseman is going to hold the runner on if he can't be within 6 feet of him. Does that mean they will draw a line in the dirt and if you lead off you need to get at least 6 feet away from first base? Will the first baseman have to stand back away from the bag until the runner takes his lead....them step over to the bag?
Think many would complain if they didn't wear it? I wouldn't, but there would be some Nancy who would report it.I'm sure umpires will love working all day tournaments with a mask on the whole time. Going to lose a ton of umps and there's already a shortage.
Summer the HS staff has ten days they can work with their teams. I don't know how many actually use it for baseball.I don't think the "50% rule" is in effect during the summer anyway, but I could be wrong.
The rule that did get scrapped for this summer is the limited number of coaching (i.e. contact) days once contact is allowed.
I wonder if and how many will take advantage of this?This year it's unlimited days HS coaches can work with there guys