Not Allowed to Video my Team???

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Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
With the technology in use today if you really do not want to be on video, suggest you stay home. Keep the shades down, curtains drawn and wear your tin foil hat. :)
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
Did they confiscate all the cell phones from the parents in the stands? Do they post no filming allowed for everyone to see? Unless they make it across the board including anyone in the stands I dont see how they can tell you you cant video the game.

Now, most rule sets do not allow electronic equipment on the field, so it would not be allowed in the dugout and you would not be able to review it during the game.


Agree wholeheartedly on the first paragraph but it seems in most rules sets around Texas that this has been changed. With iScore and game changer, you cannot limit electronic devices from the field
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Agree wholeheartedly on the first paragraph but it seems in most rules sets around Texas that this has been changed. With iScore and game changer, you cannot limit electronic devices from the field

"For scoring purposes" are the key words. A camera is not a scoring device, and if it is being used for any purpose other than for scoring it is not allowed. That was a big concern when they started allowing tablets and Ipads to be used for scoring, how do you limit the use to strictly scoring. They can be used, but if the coaches get caught using them to transmit messages back and forth they are gone.

NFHS I believe does now allow videoing from the dugout, but as I recall I dont believe the coach is allowed to review the tape while the game is being played. I think there is also a restriction on they can video their own pitcher but cannot video the opposing pitcher. I will have to go back and reread the newer rules on that so dont take it as gospel yet.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Well, the NFHS rule book contradicts itself, the rule book itself says electronics equipment can be used for coaching purposes. But, when you go to the case book it specifically states coaches may not use communications equipment on the field.

I think the information on the video equipment was in a preseason handout a couple of years ago and I cant find it at the moment, so at this point I dont know about NFHS.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Ok, in NFHS the coach can video tape from anywhere as long as it is dead ball territory AND they can even watch it live on a monitor and review it during the game. But, it cannot be used for instant replay or review of a call. But, if the video camera is in the stands, the coach cannot leave the dugout and go into the stands to review the film.

Not sure where I saw the stuff about only taping their own pitcher, it may have been in a rules discussion about an umpire that restricted a coach from videoing the opposing pitcher. Nothing in the new NFHS rule restricts them from videoing the other team or pitcher.
 

Top_Notch

Screwball
Dec 18, 2014
512
63
I take a lot of pictures at games and never gave it a second thought. I do try to limit pictures to only our girls, but sometimes I do get the opposing team in the pictures. Nobody has ever asked me not to, but if they did I probably would stop just to not start any waves.

We did have one mom video my DD during warm ups and we had asked (for reasons I won't get into) that she delete any video she may have taken. That didn't go over well and I thought there was going to be fisticuffs. Cooler heads prevailed (eventually...we played the same team the following season) but certainly there weren't any that day!
 

Josh Greer

DFP Vendor
Jul 31, 2013
934
93
Central Missouri
To my knowledge, it is not illegal to "video" record in any setting. There may be sanction/league rules or rules relating to private property that prevent recording, but that is different from the law. Interestingly enough, it may be illegal in some states to record audio, as certain outdated laws still may consider this an illegal wire tap (which references audio only, and does not relate to video in any shape or form).

We record all over the country and have only been stopped.....paused, rather, one single time; in our own home town, and at a rec league softball game. A local official informed me that he would confiscate my camera and LynkSpyder and then eject me, if I did not "cease and desist". The best course of action in these sorts of cases is to politely comply. However, after the games, I contacted the state ASA (the sanction in this case) director and had him verify the umpires rule. He confirmed there was in fact no rule, and we had no issues past that (other than the umpire hates me). However, if you address this type of issue aggressively, it probably won't go in your favor. But a good attitude and knowledge of the law and sanction rules will go a long way.

I'm curious though. If they don't allow recording, do the collect all of the cell phones in the stands?

What you cannot do in most cases is post video of other people without their consent. But in this age of social media, it clearly is not being enforced.
 
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