Using plays on wristbands

Electronic devices are not allowed on the field or in dugout unless it is a score keeping device. If I saw a coach with a Bluetooth earpiece he would be asked to remove it immediately. Same if I saw a cell phone on field or dugout.

FPump said:

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That you've gotten away this illegal act most of the time just tells me that you've got umpires working your games that don't pay attention.
Just the fact that you're wearing a blue tooth on your ear in the dugout or on the field is not allowed by rule. So, obviously you're the type of coach who likes to cheat. That's your choice. I've run into my fair share of HC's and AC's who adhere to the "it's not cheating unless we get caught" philosophy of coaching. Wether it's using communication devices, doctoring up bats and balls, teaching how to IP, plating 'fast and loose" with a tourney roster, you name it, the list goes on.
So, what am I going to do when I see the blue tooth in your ear? Well I won't have to "check your phone records".
I'm going to call time, walk over to your dugout, and without making a big scene, politely inform you that the use of communication/electronic devices are not allowed on the playing field or in the dugouts, and then politely ask you to remove it from your ear, put it away and advise/remind you (and your coaching staff) not to use it or any other such devices again during the remainder of the game; and that by rule this the one warning you'll receive.
Then I'll go back to umpiring the game. If I see such a device being used again by you or a member of your coaching staff....I'll eject the offender.

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Agree with you, FPump. I guess illegal bats are OK with the non-integrity bunch too.

I don't want to come off as the bad guy here. Can Bretman please post the rule in it's exact words? Then can we as adults decipher/discuss WHY the rule is in place?

I really don't think me getting an objective view from a simple parent on what's going on behind the plate is cheating. What advantage does that really give me? Like I said before, if the umpire is inconsistent or we are working the corners of the plate and they're called 'balls' I'm just trying to figure out why.

I've said this 3 times, "it's a rarity " that I will use it. Mostly when ' Hellen Keller ' is calling balls and strikes.

GOINGDEEP said:

I don't want to come off as the bad guy here. Can Bretman please post the rule in it's exact words? Then can we as adults decipher/discuss WHY the rule is in place?

I really don't think me getting an objective view from a simple parent on what's going on behind the plate is cheating. What advantage does that really give me? Like I said before, if the umpire is inconsistent or we are working the corners of the plate and they're called 'balls' I'm just trying to figure out why.

I've said this 3 times, "it's a rarity " that I will use it. Mostly when ' Hellen Keller ' is calling balls and strikes.

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So how long have you umpired? Just curious. Sorry but the "it's a rarity that I WILL (my emphasis) use it" sounds a little like saying someone only cheated on his spouse once so it really doesn't shouldn't count as being unfaithful.

GOINGDEEP said:

if the umpire is inconsistent or we are working the corners of the plate and they're called 'balls' I'm just trying to figure out why.

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What about asking your catcher? She's got a closer view than blue even! Do you/your coaches call pitches or does your catcher?

ASA rules supplement 11 page 114 of the 2010 rule book.

4-7-C-5 is the actual rule number. Rule supplement 11 goes into more detail and includes video equipment.

GOINGDEEP said:

I don't want to come off as the bad guy here. Can Bretman please post the rule in it's exact words? Then can we as adults decipher/discuss WHY the rule is in place?

I really don't think me getting an objective view from a simple parent on what's going on behind the plate is cheating. What advantage does that really give me? Like I said before, if the umpire is inconsistent or we are working the corners of the plate and they're called 'balls' I'm just trying to figure out why.

I've said this 3 times, "it's a rarity " that I will use it. Mostly when ' Hellen Keller ' is calling balls and strikes.

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You're not a bad guy, you're a coach. And like all coaches your only interest (as it should be) is in gaining any advantage that you can to help your team win a game. As umpires, while we may not agree with that, we accept it as part of the deal. If in trying to gain an advantage you or your staff do something that is in violation of the rules, it's our responsibility to enforce the rules as written and interpreted by the sanctioning body to keep the game fair for both teams.
That said, while you "don't want to come off as the bad guy here", many of the comments you've made throughout this thread indicate to me that you do not respect the umpires that work your games and hold them in low regard.
As requested, the rule with the exact words as published in the 2010 ASA official Rules of Softball....
ASA Rule 4 Sec.7-C.(5):
"No electronic equipment, to include cell phones, pagers, etc. are allowed to be worn or carried on the playing field."
EFFECT: Disqualification or ejection from the game after a warning.
ASA Rules Supplement #11 (P.114):
"Communication/electronic devices, including audio/video equipment, are not allowed on the playing field or in the dugouts. Head phones and ear phones have been used by coaches to communicate from one coaches box to the other, to communicate between coaches and the dugout, and from the stands to the dugout. Signs and signals have been stolen while outside the field of play, stands, or the outfield area and communicated to coaches and players. Therefore umpires must prohibit any use of such equipment. Electronic scorebooks, however, are permitted for use by base coaches."

As to why the rule is in place, I think what ASA says in the Rules Supplement makes the need for such a rule quite clear.
The "simple parent" in the stands supplying you information (illegally) through electronic means, is providing you an unfair advantage over the other team.
Keep in mind that ASA 4.7 states where coaches can legally go to carry out their coaching duties during the game, the stands are not one of those areas. And yes, in your example that "simple parent" in the stands is acting as a member of your coaching staff, even if they're dressed in 'civies'. Of course there's nothing illegal in them coming down along the fence and communicating with you, just as along as they do not enter the dugout or come inside the fence to do so. You just can't receive this information electronically from anyone, coach, parent, sibling, casual fan, etc.
The reason those pitches that you were "working the corners" with were called balls, was that in the PU's judgement they weren't strikes....end of story. Pitch to the zone he's calling....it's part of the game.

Thanks Fpump for the rule.

And yes, I umpired when I was younger. ( baseball, just out of college ) It's not an easy job but it's not Rocket Science either. The strike zone is clearly stated in baseball as it is in softball. When an umpire is not IMO adhering to the stated strike zone it becomes frustrating. There are lots of umpires I enjoy working with, and some that need to retire or think of another way to spend their weekends. But as you stated, "it's part of the game".

I'll admit I have never read the exact wording of the rule. Only heard examples of it by word of mouth. I'll also admit ignorance is not an excuse, so that one is on me. As a coach we have played from Florida to Oklahoma and I have never seen that rule enforced. ( ASA, USFA, USSSA, USGF, NSA, NIT )

IMO I'm working on my pitcher with the illegal advice. I guess I never thought of it as ' cheating ' the other team, just adjusting my pitcher. As we all know sometimes the pitcher and catcher will say " yes coach, those 'balls' are right across the plate ". But I also try to be a role model for my girls, I will restrain from use of the device from here on out.

GD

SoCalASABlue said:

So how long have you umpired? Just curious. Sorry but the "it's a rarity that I WILL (my emphasis) use it" sounds a little like saying someone only cheated on his spouse once so it really doesn't shouldn't count as being unfaithful.

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SoCalASABlue / FPump - thank you for unholding the integrity of the game. Without your help in enforcing the rules, coaches would just about do anything for a win....