Tinted Visors - OHSAA Rule??

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Member

• Apr 8, 2009

• #1

Is there a rule stating a tinted visor (inside the catcher's mask) on a catchers mask in illegal and prohibited? I checked via email with OHSAA prior to purchasing and installing it so I assumed it was ok. After 5 innings, the OHSSA "umpire" instructed the catcher she could not have a 'tinted' shield, they were illegal. Again, this was installed on the interior of the facemask....somebody help me stop the insanity.

 

default

Member

• Apr 8, 2009

• #2

OUTCASTfastpitch said:

Is there a rule stating a tinted visor (inside the catcher's mask) on a catchers mask in illegal and prohibited? I checked via email with OHSAA prior to purchasing and installing it so I assumed it was ok. After 5 innings, the OHSSA "umpire" instructed the catcher she could not have a 'tinted' shield, they were illegal. Again, this was installed on the interior of the facemask....somebody help me stop the insanity.

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NFHS Rule 1-7-1 Plastic visors attached to the catcher's helmet are prohibited. If an eye shield is worn attached to the catcher's helmet, it must be constructed of a molded rigid material that is clear and permits 100% percent (No Tint) allowable light transmission.

The same Rule applies also for Batting Helmets in NFHS 1-6-7
FASTPITCH! Anything else, And you're playing to SLOW!

 

default

Member

• Apr 8, 2009

• #3

If you still have the email print it out and bring it with you just in case...

 

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Member

• Apr 8, 2009

• #4

cshilt said:

If you still have the email print it out and bring it with you just in case...

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I would like to read that email myself. But regardless of who sent the email, it still will not overrule the NFHS Softball Rulebook in the eyes of the Umpires.

Our first priority as Umpires is SAFETY FIRST! And there are reasons these rules are in place, or otherwise they wouldn't be in the Rulebook. I will admit some rules I even dislike but we have to go by what is written by the NFHS.


FASTPITCH! Anything else, And you're playing to SLOW!

 

default

Member

• Apr 9, 2009

• #5

Same rule as in football. Tinted visors are a safety issue. The reasoning behind it is, if a player has a head injury, a tinted visor may block medical personnel from seeing the player's eyes without removing the helmet. A doctor's note does not over ride the rule. Players may wear sunglasses under the helmet that can be removed without removing the helmet.

 

default

Member

• Apr 9, 2009

• #6

Receiving conflicting information from OHSAA - no WAY!! ;&

I guess I can't find that rule in the OHSAA rules...but I'll keep looking!!

Thanks for the help!


Even this rule contradicts itself...!
NFHS Rule 1-7-1 Plastic visors attached to the catcher's helmet are prohibited. If an eye shield is worn attached to the catcher's helmet, it must be constructed of a molded rigid material that is clear and permits 100% percent (No Tint) allowable light transmission.

 

default

Member

• Apr 9, 2009

• #7

In the high school softball world, "visor" refers to those things that look like a hat, with a bill and no top on it, that clip around the head. That would jibe with their uniform rules that prohibit "plastic visors" for all players.

An "eye shield" is something that fits into the cage of the mask or helmet.

Also, for what it's worth, these are not OHSAA rules. They are National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) rules from the national governing body of high school sports. Each individual state can choose to either join this federation and subscribe to their rules or not. Not every state does, but most do (I believe that the count stands at around 48 of the 50 states).

 

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Member

• Apr 9, 2009

• #8

Outcast This should have been caught when the equipment was inspected at pre-game by the umpires. One of the items to be inspected is the catcher's helmet.

 

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Member

• Apr 9, 2009

• #9

It was the last inning of the game, the umpire was talking to the catcher throughout the game, face to face...!

So they can wear spikes but not an eye guard inside their mask...lolol...ya gotta love it!

 

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Member

• Apr 9, 2009

• #10

OUTCASTfastpitch said:

It was the last inning of the game, the umpire was talking to the catcher throughout the game, face to face...!

So they can wear spikes but not an eye guard inside their mask...lolol...ya gotta love it!

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Yeah, I was wondering if they had any conversations or if the base umpire wasn't looking in at the plate the whole game. I'm wondering if they decided to not make her take her helmet apart in the pre-game and simply decided to tell her at the end of the game so it could be corrected for the next game.

 

default

Member

• Apr 9, 2009

• #11

There was no field umpire. Interrupted the game as the last inning started and made her remove it before continuing the game...just one of those things you have to shake your head and laugh!

 

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Member

• Apr 10, 2009

• #12

TomStoll said:

Outcast This should have been caught when the equipment was inspected at pre-game by the umpires. One of the items to be inspected is the catcher's helmet.

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You are exactly right! This should have been caught way before the game started, a total lack of responsibility on the Blues part!


FASTPITCH! Anything else, And you're playing to SLOW!