BATTING HELMETS
QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, are adult coaches required to wear helmets in the coaching boxes?
ANSWER: (BB and SB- Coaches are not required by National Federation rules. Helmets are mandatory for on-deck batters, batters, runners, retired runners, players/ students in coaching boxes as well as non-adult bat / ball shaggers. (BB- Rule 1, Sec. 5, Art. 1; SB- Rule 1, Sec. 6, Art. 1-3).
Exception, in New Jersey, baseball only, NJSIAA mandates that all baseball coaches wear protective headwear while in box. Headwear may consist of single flap, double ear flap or traditional hard shell with visor and no ear flap (BB modification as of 2014). (SB- does not have NJSIAA mandate).
QUESTION: In baseball and softball, batter receives ball four and in advance to first base removes helmet and exchanges helmet with non-adult in coaching box during live ball play. Base umpire calls batter-runner out for helmet removal? Correct call?
ANSWER: Incorrect call. Umpire is to issue a warning to coach of involved team; subsequent violation shall result in ejection of player. (BB- Rule 1, Sec. 5, Art. 1) In softball, coach will receive an initial warning; next violation, offender and head coach will be restricted to bench (SB- Rule 1-6-1 and Rule 3-6-1 Penalty). The violating player will NOT be called out. If a subsequent violation occurs and player is ejected / restricted, a substitute will replace runner awarded first base.
