Interpretation of Rules 3-6-10 and 1-8-6

TASO is advising officials that they should not allow electronic devices on the field. Rule 3-6-10 states that objects, other than stopwatches and scorekeeping material/devices are prohibited.  New rule 1-8-6 states that electronic devices used to transmit or record information pertaining to their players or team’s performance shall be permitted in the dugout/bench area only.

Case Book (Page 31) Rule 3.6.10 Situation B. indicates that an electronic tablet designed just for scorekeeping is allowed. However, TASO does not want to require officials to determine one electronic device from another. Therefore, we continue to advise officials not to allow any electronic device on the field.  This problem is this....an IPad or smartphone could have an app for scorekeeping, but those devices can also take pictures and record video, in addition to transmitting and receiving messages, texts and phone calls....which are definitely not allowed on the field. There are other electronic devices with similar capabilities.  Asking an official to determine if a device can solely be used for scorekeeping purposes is unrealistic.  Therefore, our direction continues to be to eliminate all electronic devices from the playing field and not require umpires to determine the capability of those devices in addition to their other duties. TASO has confirmed this decision and direction with the UIL rules interpreter.

Any changes to this policy will be published immediately.