ada rule

Question
We recently played a team that had a player who played both offense and defense the whole game. In the bottom of the seventh he got to second and they called for a runner from their live roster (player currently playing). The original players disability was arthritis in his hand which in no way affects his ability to run. How can this team call for their fastest player that is already in the game to come out and run. Isn't this actually giving the other team an advantage? We were never informed of this before the game and neither were the umpires. They didn't know how to deal with the situation. I can understand a rule that helps someone who cannot see or run but this player had arthritis in his hand and he was their pitcher.

Answer
Hi Mike,

I've never had an ADA player so I had to spend some time w/ this one.

The ADA defines a covered disability as "a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity."

Section 2. AMERICAN DISABILITY ACT RULE
A. This rule may be used for a player that has been determined by the American Disabilities Act of July 25, 1990, to be physically challenged. As a result of the player抯 disability, the player can play either offense or defense.

NOTE: This special rule has been adopted to accommodate the athlete who is physically challenged. The intent is not to change the game.....

I'm not going to allow F1 in the bottom of the 7th who's played all game and has arthritis in his hand make a mockery of the rule and that's what I think this is, and have someone run as a CR. Hell, if that's the case most of us over 40 would qualify under ADA. I of course would allow a legal sub.  

It also seems to me that an ADA player should be to be id'd to the umpire when they enter the game to prevent misunderstandings.

As an umpire the tournie UIC is going to have to overrule me on protest.  As a tournie UIC that's what's going to happen in that tournie.

Mark
ps I have a special daughter, no one is more sensitive to special needs or handicapped rights than I am.