My opinion is since they can wear jewelry in college why not let them wear it starting in high school? As far as the wording I think it shouldn't really be left up to ump discretion because some people can find danger in pretty much everything in life. Even the back of studs can puncture the skin if pushed back. It should be at the discretion of the person making the decision to wear the jewelry honestly. So far for daughter's games the umps have pretty much left the jewelry alone. Although in one game the plate ump made the girls take off their hoops. My daughter has a septum piercing she got for her 18th birthday - he pulled and tugged on it to make sure it was "secure" and in the end let it go - which is good because she would have sat out the game if he made a bigger deal of it. Turns out they run ruled the team they played and daughter didn't get one ball hit to her and no baserunners made it near her playing 3rd so it was kinda unnecessary to be so worried about their jewelry.
I guess the rules forum is the best place to post this. It is for coaches and officials, but it always provides insight into what bees are in their bonnets for next year ...
First section asks about satisfaction with the 2022-23 rules changes (I'm going to abbreviate these, Yes/No answers):
1.) Removing the number of color restrictions on a glove
2.) Clarifying the ball's status (fair/foul) is determined at the point of interference
3.) Removing language prohibiting the wearing of jewelry
4.) Allowing all runs to score on a walk-off homerun
5.) Clarifying when a batter-runner is out if there is interference on an initial play
Second section asks "Have you seen any of these things this year?" (Never, Rarely, Frequently, Almost always)
1.) Infielders wearing head/face protection
2.) Questions about drying agents transferring to the ball
3.) Players using smartwatches for communication outside the dugout
4.) Umpires unsure of malicious contact versus interference
5.) Players wearing a wristband with playbook/playcard attached to their belt instead of their arm or wrist
Third section on topics for 2023-24; Would you favor ... (Yes/No answers)
1.) Permitting bat sensors
2.) Permitting leaping
3.) Allowing one way electronic communication from the coach to infielders
4.) Requiring wristbands with playcards to be worn on the wrist (not allowing them on the belt)
Right? When she told me this I was like - "he actually PULLED on it" and then just shook my head.....
Good job, NFHS.
To be fair, my father would've done the same thing, or worse, if one of my sisters came home with one of those things in their nose...
