SIAP but didn't find this scenario in the search.
USSSA tourney, 12U(C). 2 pool play + double elimination bracket.
Played 2 pool games with Umpire A behind the plate, Umpire B in the field. First bracket game in the evening they switched and B was behind the plate. Same catcher wearing the same gear all 3 games.
In the 3rd game around the 2nd or 3rd batter the ump turns to us and says "her helmet is missing a screw, she has to change it." We swap out and HC takes a look. It is a Rawlings helmet which has screws/clips like this:
(Other helmets don't have as many clips.)
The right rear clip was present (below the 'GS' on this pic), but the left was missing. The 4 across the top and 2 on the bottom were present.
Our catcher doesn't like the fit of the other helmet and it's affecting her comfort and sight. So between innings our HC removes the left clip so both sides match. Sends her back out with the original helmet.
You know what's coming....umpire nearly immediately says "coach, the screw is still missing, and you removed the other one. She has to change." Our coach argues that the other 6 clips are doing a sufficient job, points out that Umpire A, the one standing in the field, didn't have an issue earlier in the day. Even yanks on the mask to show it's holding.
Umpire doesn't budge and makes her change.
From my read, USSSA rules talk about ear flaps and throat guards, but nothing about the little details of said helmet like these clips. "As a general rule, USSSA continues its longstanding tradition of permitting players to determine the use of protective equipment when they deem it appropriate." (I know that more speaks to wearing or not wearing masks in the field, but seems to me could be extended to a situation like this.)
My question, are we as coaches just stuck having to make our catcher change the gear when an umpire wants to dig in on something like this? Any response we could have made in counter argument that would have allowed her to continue wearing her helmet?
thanks in advance
USSSA tourney, 12U(C). 2 pool play + double elimination bracket.
Played 2 pool games with Umpire A behind the plate, Umpire B in the field. First bracket game in the evening they switched and B was behind the plate. Same catcher wearing the same gear all 3 games.
In the 3rd game around the 2nd or 3rd batter the ump turns to us and says "her helmet is missing a screw, she has to change it." We swap out and HC takes a look. It is a Rawlings helmet which has screws/clips like this:
(Other helmets don't have as many clips.)
The right rear clip was present (below the 'GS' on this pic), but the left was missing. The 4 across the top and 2 on the bottom were present.
Our catcher doesn't like the fit of the other helmet and it's affecting her comfort and sight. So between innings our HC removes the left clip so both sides match. Sends her back out with the original helmet.
You know what's coming....umpire nearly immediately says "coach, the screw is still missing, and you removed the other one. She has to change." Our coach argues that the other 6 clips are doing a sufficient job, points out that Umpire A, the one standing in the field, didn't have an issue earlier in the day. Even yanks on the mask to show it's holding.
Umpire doesn't budge and makes her change.
From my read, USSSA rules talk about ear flaps and throat guards, but nothing about the little details of said helmet like these clips. "As a general rule, USSSA continues its longstanding tradition of permitting players to determine the use of protective equipment when they deem it appropriate." (I know that more speaks to wearing or not wearing masks in the field, but seems to me could be extended to a situation like this.)
My question, are we as coaches just stuck having to make our catcher change the gear when an umpire wants to dig in on something like this? Any response we could have made in counter argument that would have allowed her to continue wearing her helmet?
thanks in advance
