Jewelry Rule

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Nov 24, 2009
54
0
Chicagoland
As an umpire, I couldn't care less what the player wears as long as it is not dangerous to anyone else with an exception or two.

Exposed necklaces and bracelets probably have to go. Rings other than bands are a no. Hanging earrings are a no, studs or clips, no problem. Piercings, in general, are not my problem.

This is an issue that has, IMO, gotten way out of control from umpires going Gestapo on teams to a coach attempting to use it as a strategy. This is why I prefer ASA's method of leaving it up the what the umpire deems dangerous. It will change from umpire to umpire, but it also allows for some common sense to be applied when something different arises.

MTR,
It's refreshing to hear a common sense response from an ump. Your take on this is exactly how i see it too.

The sad thing is the umpire in our game said it was out of his hands because it was a rule but the tournament director could provide a waiver. The tournanment director said it wasn't his call, it was up to the umpire. So the back and forth began. I understand why neither was willing to waive it, mostly because of liability concerns. But I offered to have my player wear a defensive mask in left field as well as her batting helmet on offense and neither would agree to it. Some of the other sanctions allow for a bandaid or tape to be placed over the piercing but USSSA even calls that out as not acceptable. My only hope is USSSA in the future looks at this rule again and decides to follow ASA on this one (I'm not going to hold my breath).
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
I can tell you what danger stud earrings are. A kid gets hit, either with a ball or from a collision with another kid, on the ear. the back post of the stud earring gets imbedded into the head behind the ear, pinning the ear back via the post of the earring.

Its happened and its not fun for the kid.

I'm sure you are going to consider this callous, but as the umpire, I don't care. I am not the parent/guardian or coach. If their child was permitted to receive the piercing and wear a stud earring, who am I to intervene? And I don't know how many time's I've heard, "but I just my ear pierced and I cannot take out the stud or it will close up!" Then you get the parent appearing at the fence telling the umpire they have to let their DD play and all the BS one can expect when interfering with someone else's authority.

And if you want to take the "I know what's better for you" attitude, where do you draw that line? Tongue? Navel? Nipple? etc? Don't laugh, I've seen people try to take it that far and to be honest, I'm there to work a ball game, not the piercing police or babysitter.

I think the rules on the non metallic jewelry are pretty silly, but some of it is based on past injury.

If it will shatter, like plastic, it is a danger to others. However, I agree when it comes to cloth string, rubber bands and leather bands, etc. Yet, I've seen a coach ejected at an ASA national arguing over the opposing pitcher being allowed to wear a leather lace tied around her wrist on her glove hand.
 
Last edited:
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
The scenario you paint seems extremely rare, in fact if it's happened more than once I would be surprised. The impact of the ball or player would probably hurt alot more than an earring. And if it really was that big of a risk then why would they allow it at the college and professional levels? Those games are played at a faster speed with bigger and stronger players that when an impact did occur the collision would be much greater.
Because in college and the pros you are talking about adults making the decision to wear jewelry.

The impact might hurt more, but the hole in your head will be there for a while, or the torn ear lobe

I have seen the damage caused when a ball hits a cross hanging from a necklace, it is a trip to the ER BTW.

The worst sport for jewelry is basketball, even the pros aren't allowed to wear it. Too many cuts on the opponents not to mention the risk of a ring getting caught on the rim.
 
Apr 25, 2010
772
0
MTR,
It's refreshing to hear a common sense response from an ump. Your take on this is exactly how i see it too.

The sad thing is the umpire in our game said it was out of his hands because it was a rule but the tournament director could provide a waiver. The tournanment director said it wasn't his call, it was up to the umpire. So the back and forth began. I understand why neither was willing to waive it, mostly because of liability concerns. But I offered to have my player wear a defensive mask in left field as well as her batting helmet on offense and neither would agree to it. Some of the other sanctions allow for a bandaid or tape to be placed over the piercing but USSSA even calls that out as not acceptable. My only hope is USSSA in the future looks at this rule again and decides to follow ASA on this one (I'm not going to hold my breath).

I know this is kind of "skirting" the rule, but she can buy a clear plastic plug to put in the hole while she plays and unless the ump is right up in her face, they will never see it.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
I know this is kind of "skirting" the rule, but she can buy a clear plastic plug to put in the hole while she plays and unless the ump is right up in her face, they will never see it.

Had a partner that caught two of these in HS. One girl had one in her nose, the other in her lip. Coach tried to argue they were "sports pierciengs" and were legal because they were plastic.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
By banning all jewelry they make it easier for umpires to enforce vs. having to carry around a 10 page print out of what is allowed and not allowed.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
By banning all jewelry they make it easier for umpires to enforce vs. having to carry around a 10 page print out of what is allowed and not allowed.

Because then you are going to have 5 more pages defining what is jewelry. And as previously noted, how an anyone keep a straight face and insist on the removal of something that is of no danger to the wearer while that wearer is sliding spikes first into another player blocking the base waiting on a tag?
 
Nov 24, 2009
54
0
Chicagoland
Because then you are going to have 5 more pages defining what is jewelry. And as previously noted, how an anyone keep a straight face and insist on the removal of something that is of no danger to the wearer while that wearer is sliding spikes first into another player blocking the base waiting on a tag?

Ditto, what he said.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
Maybe I'm venting but I still don't understand this rule anymore.

Where do you draw the line? Do you have an "Approved Jewelry" list? The no jewelry eliminates ANY grey areas. That's all. In a law suit the attorneys look to exploit grey areas. Do I think a lot of it is stupid? YUP!!! Unfortunately, the rule is a necessary evil.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Where do you draw the line? Do you have an "Approved Jewelry" list? The no jewelry eliminates ANY grey areas. That's all. In a law suit the attorneys look to exploit grey areas. Do I think a lot of it is stupid? YUP!!! Unfortunately, the rule is a necessary evil.

My grandmother drew the line and stopped playing after a conservative umpire told her she had to take out her dentures to play.
 

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