Little League Rules

[prncfarquad]

This is kind of a rant and also a question for you sports guys out there.

A little history, I know almost every ump by first name. I know almost every coach by first name we are a big family and if I don't I introduce myself and ask permission to be on the field, I don't even cheer my sons team on when I am on the field. I am a registered volunteer with the little league in my town (background check and all) and have been a coach several times including this regular season.

Last year during the fall my son was playing at a particular field, we were on the first base line and I needed to shoot a lefty down third base. I had been on the field for 4 innings with no problems. When i switched sides the opposing coach (and board member) stopped the game to ask the umps permission again. I told him not to stop the game I would leave because that would not be fair to the kids to break the pace of the game for me ( I was pissed but he owns the rules since he was a coach and board member). So I left the field and went back to my side.

After the game the coach / board member approached me and told me I didn't have to leave the game and that I was making a bigger deal out of it than I had to but I had never been spoken to with such disrespect and I had already gained permission from the umps but had forgotten to introduce myself to him and that was wrong of me.

Fast forward to tonight..I had been shooting two games at this same park (on the field) with no problems. Saw all my regular coaches/umps said hello, everything was good. When my son's team took the field the third base ump came up to me and asked me politely to leave the field I started to get pissy and then just left the field and walked away. As the ump was talking to me I looked over and the same board member from the fall was watching me and I realized what had happened. I went to the ump between innings and apologized if I was rude to him and I understood it was this board member who wanted me out and he confirmed this guy had come up to them before the game and told them I couldn't be on the field unless I asked him and said he was sorry but the guy was the board member and he as the ump had to follow his instructions.

This board member avoided me like the plague the rest of the night. Would not look at me, walked around buildings to avoid having to face me. I was told he is just the nicest guy but follows the rules to a "T" but my experiences have been anything but friendly.

So here is the question. Does anyone know the rules for Little League Baseball, does he as a board member have the right to remove me from the filed if I have not in ANY way interfered with the game, the umps have given me permission to be on the field and parents have come to expect me to be on the field to capture their kids? Or does it sound like I have just pissed off the wrong guy

Be honest with me..if am I wrong and just need to shut up and take it I will or does this sound like a legitimate complaint on my part?

[KJ Smith]

That is not a baseball rule.

That is a league issue.

The best thing to do is to get league/board approval.


On a side note, You guys have a 3rd base ump? Wow.

[dbphotos]

I don't know, but here is the rule book: Rules Regulations and Policies

Sounds like a few minutes in front of the full board to explain why you are there and that you won't get in the way of the game would go a long way to solving this on-going issue. Sounds like 1 board member has a problem with you.

[Rson]

IMO, what special privileges do you think you are entitled to and why. Isn't it common sense to say that unless you are an ump, coach or player you should not be on the field. Does it have to be spelled out?

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by Rson

IMO, what special privileges do you think you are entitled to and why. Isn't it common sense to say that unless you are an ump, coach or player you should not be on the field. Does it have to be spelled out?

I was on the field for most of my sons games. As they get older, most umps prefer you to stay closer to the dugout.

But LL was no problem. Going to the other teams dugout was no problem.

In the 8yrs my son played, I never asked permission, unless it was to enter the other teams dugout.

When he started HS, I asked the Coaches permission.

I never had a problem. I was never told no.

[Rson]

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

I was on the field for most of my sons games. As they get older, most umps prefer you to stay closer to the dugout.

But LL was no problem. Going to the other teams dugout was no problem.

In the 8yrs my son played, I never asked permission, unless it was to enter the other teams dugout.

When he started HS, I asked the Coaches permission.

I never had a problem. I was never told no.

I am just thinking of the litigious nature of our society and the risk of parent X getting lobbed in the head by a ball. Shooting from the dugout is a little different than being on the field (a little more cramped also). I am sure that the insurance policy that the LL has would be OK not having a random parent on the field

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by Rson

I am just thinking of the litigious nature of our society and the risk of parent X getting lobbed in the head by a ball. Shooting from the dugout is a little different than being on the field (a little more cramped also). I am sure that the insurance policy that the LL has would be OK not having a random parent on the field

Let me make myself clear. In LL I was on the field.

Most of the LL fields we were on were not good to shoot from, to close, to far, to crowded ect.

When they get around 12, you have to pay attention.

By the time they hit HS, your right, then you need to restrict yourself to the dugouts as a safety measure.

[prncfarquad]

Kevin, this board member told me last time it was a little league rule and not his and he is the only board member that has a problem. and we only have 3rd base ump during all stars not during regular season.

David, Last night I spoke with 4 other board members and they said since he was president it was his decision and not theirs.

Rich, I am not entitled to anything other than courtesy and common sense. I have been on these fields for 6 years and never had a problem till this guy shows up on the board of this league so why the change because he is here? Why is he able to over rule the 4 other board members that have allowed me on the field for years. I have gone through all the legitimate steps ( background check/volunteer form/permission from umps and coaches) If he were to walk up to me and say I don't care about you being legit I just want you off the field I would actually feel better. The manner in which he is handling this seems more like a grudge than a interpretation of the rules. again I know I have no special rights.

[KJ Smith]

There is not much you can do.

I would go to a board meeting and see if you can get them to allow you back on the field.

Do you see other people on the fields shooting?

He may be trying to implement a new rule.

How often are these guys elected?
Not much of an option there, we had the same president for years.

When he says Little League rule.
He means league rule.

That would be dependent on what league your in.

That would be the last option, change leagues. Probably not worthwhile.

[Rson]

Originally Posted by prncfarquad

Kevin, this board member told me last time it was a little league rule and not his and he is the only board member that has a problem. and we only have 3rd base ump during all stars not during regular season.

David, Last night I spoke with 4 other board members and they said since he was president it was his decision and not theirs.

Rich, I am not entitled to anything other than courtesy and common sense. I have been on these fields for 6 years and never had a problem till this guy shows up on the board of this league so why the change because he is here? Why is he able to over rule the 4 other board members that have allowed me on the field for years. I have gone through all the legitimate steps ( background check/volunteer form/permission from umps and coaches) If he were to walk up to me and say I don't care about you being legit I just want you off the field I would actually feel better. The manner in which he is handling this seems more like a grudge than a interpretation of the rules. again I know I have no special rights.

I know the people like that.....they make great Sams Receipt checkers and lousy public faces of a great org like LL. Have you considered joining the board?

[prncfarquad]

Rich I talked to 4 board members last night who I have know for years and they all said that is just the way he is and seemed kind of dejected by that fact. Fortunately tonight will be the last game my son will play there as we had already decided at the beginning of the season this would be his last before going to only tournament ball. And yes I have though about joining the board but with my work schedule I am traveling to much to give the job the time it needs. I do volunteer to announce/score keep/run concession/prep fields or any other volunteer work I can do when in town.

I really just want to do everything I can to make sure this doesn't happen again. I trust my fellow TPF friends to be honest with me and if I am in the wrong I will do what I can to fix me.

And just another note..this is not my son's normal side to play on (we have an east side and west side leagues in my town) This guy is on the east we are on the west but since it is all-stars we play at both fields. In our league (west) the president of the board is my son's coach and I regularly have other board members ask me to come shoot photos of their son's playing and we sit on the field and chat during the game.

[Rson]

I asked LL here is the response:

Rich,

Parents are not permitted on the field to photograph the game. Please see playing rule 3.15 in the 2010 baseball rule book.

Best regards,

Nina M. Johnson
Assistant Central Region Director
Little League Baseball and Softball
Central Region Headquarters
9802 East Little League Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46235

Phone: 317.897.6127
Fax: 317.897-6158
njohnson@LittleLeague.org

Visit the Central Region website for upcoming 2009-10 clinic information: Hometown Heroes

Stay updated on all the latest happenings at Little League®. Join our mailing list or confirm your subscription status today. Visit: Hometown Heroes.

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by prncfarquad

I regularly have other board members ask me to come shoot photos of their son's playing and we sit on the field and chat during the game.

Thats one of the ways to earn goodwill.

I always shot all the kids on my sons team.
E-mailed the pics to them. That keeps the complaints down.

If I knew the other coaches, I shot their kids too.


Sounds like it will work itself out.

[prncfarquad]

Originally Posted by Rson

I asked LL here is the response:

Rich,

Parents are not permitted on the field to photograph the game. Please see playing rule 3.15 in the 2010 baseball rule book.

Best regards,

Nina M. Johnson
Assistant Central Region Director
Little League Baseball and Softball
Central Region Headquarters
9802 East Little League Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46235

Phone: 317.897.6127
Fax: 317.897-6158
njohnson@LittleLeague.org

Visit the Central Region website for upcoming 2009-10 clinic information: Hometown Heroes

Stay updated on all the latest happenings at Little League®. Join our mailing list or confirm your subscription status today. Visit: Hometown Heroes.

Well there ya have it Rich thanks for doing that. OK so he does have the right so I will quit complaining LOL I just wish the situation had been handled with a little more tact.

[Rson]

Originally Posted by prncfarquad

Well there ya have it Rich thanks for doing that. OK so he does have the right so I will quit complaining LOL I just wish the situation had been handled with a little more tact.

+1, you can let him know our Sams is hiring. :)