High School field parking lot & baseball coach

[Grumpysrb]

I don't understand where everyone reads PUBLIC and see GET TO DO WHATEVER I WANT? Public School, Public Park, Public Library, etc. doesn't mean no rules. All of these entities have the authority to make rules, including banning Digging.

Every one of us should check to be sure there isn't, at least, a rule against it. Don't just show up and start digging.

 

[popatop]

Every one of us should check to be sure there isn't, at least, a rule against it. Don't just show up and start digging.

I don't think that anybody disagrees with that. I think the main problem is the attitude.

 

[CoiltoSoil]

Let's look at the facts here, any public park, or pool that is banned to anyone from outside of that community is unlawful, it goes against the first Amendment and will almost certainly be overturned in court. We are given the freedom to assemble in public places, not just those in our own town or community (obviously this is not absolute, you can't walk onto the lawn of the White House, etc., but these are special circumstances) Check out Warren Vs. Fairfax County. The State Supreme Court in that case stated "The right to use a public place for expressive activity may be restricted
only for weighty reasons." To me it appears the burden is on the park to prove activities such as metal detecting are "weighty reasons". Also I love how the big bad coach comes over with a baseball bat, if you feel the need to intimidate someone with a weapon, you probably shouldn't be starting trouble with that person in the first place, or at least grow some gonads and do it like a man. It's obvious he wasn't on the field, as I don't think anyone in their right mind would detect a baseball field during a game, it's not exactly a safe place to be walking around with your head down and headphones on. Now I realize this was at a school and not a park, I also realize that while it is public property, the school board has the right to restrict access to any and all parties they wish, however, if he was not on the actual field, and there are no signs, or rules against detecting posted anywhere, he in fact has the legal right to detect there. We will all have differing opinions on what's the best time to detect certain locations but in this case the coach was violating the OP's Constitutional rights and in doing so was in the wrong. I think we need to start working together to get these unconstitutional detecting bans at parks and other public places overturned.

 

[HarveyH48]

I don't see metal detecting as a common place activity, where issues come up often enough to get the special attention that would produce signs, an specific rules and regulations. Specially, since the 'No Digging' rule could be applied, if an occasional problem (unfilled, sloppy plugs) did come up. Really don't think our hobby is top of the list, when it comes to considerations, when public land is designated for a specific purpose (park, school, sports field), most likely not even on the list, or even brought up. Just a whole lot of other, more frequently addressed problems to take into consideration, and the presumption of a little consideration and common sense. Just because the rules don't specifically address, and use 'Metal Detecting', doesn't mean it okay to ignore the rule about 'No Digging'.

We can get that special attention in the rules, maybe even get some nice signage as well, if we keep agitating the non-detecting public. Sports teams are a real bad choice, special school kids. Maybe just one kid gets hurt on a plug that slips out, you got a concern coach, teammates, parents, teachers, school board, PTA all looking for a solution. The OP had a few minutes of thrills and fun, but is that sort of thing really worth it? Oh sure, he stayed near the parking lot, no where near the field, mostly because the field was in use, like a vulture circling a potential meal, squashed in the middle of a busy road...

 

[CoiltoSoil]

Was a no digging sign posted?

 

[ohmygato]

Looks like this thread is getting a little long in the tooth, but to the OP:

I would have apologized to the coach and explained to him that I do my best to take care of the land that I metal detect on. I then would have left and would come back when he or the team aren't around.

 

[mountain digger]

The OP had a few minutes of thrills and fun, but is that sort of thing really worth it? Oh sure, he stayed near the parking lot, no where near the field, mostly because the field was in use, like a vulture circling a potential meal, squashed in the middle of a busy road...

Harv,
Another assumption on your part...

 

[Grumpysrb]

On the other hand, the coach had no right or reason to stand over you with a Baseball Bat.

You may want to check to see if the school have an open campus policy. Here they often allow the public to use certain facilities after school hours, when not in use by the school. The track, ball fields, playgrounds, etc. BUT, they have the authority to limit the use to running on the track, playing ball on the ball fields, and kids playing on the swings, etc. That's why I don't dig on sports fields during the season of that sort(some fields are year round here.), and am very careful not to piss people off elsewhere.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

... Every one of us should check to be sure there isn't, at least, a rule against it. Don't just show up and start digging.

.

Grumpsrb, let me save you some time (you owe me a 12-pack now): There's no need to "check". Yup. Every single city park or school yard you come to DOES have rules against "digging". There, now what are you going to do with all that time I just saved you ? It's there in all cities, county, state, etc... public lands. Might not use the exact word "dig", but at least something similar like "deface", "alter", "excavate", "remove", and so forth.

So does this mean you're going to stick to private property from here on out, and cease detecting all public land? Probably not, because you'll say a person can "get permission" despite those rules/laws, right?

Ok then: try this: see if you can "get permission" to text and drive. Afterall, you're a safe driver, and you'll be careful, right? What will they say? They'll say "no", of course. Why? : Because they can't grant you permission to break the law. Then why is it that they CAN (sometimes) say "sure go ahead and dig, as long as you're careful and leave no trace" ? What makes texting laws, versus digging law different? [that's a rhetorical question. I already know the answer. But am letting it sink in and shed light on this topic ]

 

[CoiltoSoil]

Was there a no digging sign posted? Did I miss something in the OP? Why would we assume that he couldn't dig on the outskirts of the field or parking lot? Is there anything on the school site that states no digging or access to the school property? If not then what he did was totally legal, could the rules change? Sure, but as of now he was not in the wrong if there are no rules or regulations set forth by the school board prohibiting his actions. Did he pick the wrong time to go? Maybe, but that's opinion. The coach could have politely asked "could you please stay on the outskirts and not dig any holes on the playing field, I wouldn't want my player tripping in holes". Schools are public property unless otherwise stated in their rules and regulations, the school board can permit and decline access as they see fit, but unless they expressly prohibited digging, public access at this time, or metal detecting we are beating a dead horse here. Let's not forget, coming at a law abiding citizen in a threatening manner with a baseball bat is a good way to get shot, with have a very good case of self defense for the victim.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Was there a no digging sign posted? ...

Answered in post # 91

 

[HarveyH48]

.

Grumpsrb, let me save you some time (you owe me a 12-pack now): There's no need to "check". Yup. Every single city park or school yard you come to DOES have rules against "digging". There, now what are you going to do with all that time I just saved you ? It's there in all cities, county, state, etc... public lands. Might not use the exact word "dig", but at least something similar like "deface", "alter", "excavate", "remove", and so forth.

So does this mean you're going to stick to private property from here on out, and cease detecting all public land? Probably not, because you'll say a person can "get permission" despite those rules/laws, right?

Ok then: try this: see if you can "get permission" to text and drive. Afterall, you're a safe driver, and you'll be careful, right? What will they say? They'll say "no", of course. Why? : Because they can't grant you permission to break the law. Then why is it that they CAN (sometimes) say "sure go ahead and dig, as long as you're careful and leave no trace" ? What makes texting laws, versus digging law different? [that's a rhetorical question. I already know the answer. But am letting it sink in and shed light on this topic ]

So They can't grant you permission, but Tom can give you the go-ahead, to break the law?

Digging can mean a whole lot of different things, to different people. Obviously, you Tom, choose to interpret it as being that you dug it at night, where no one who would care, actually saw you dig any holes, and you perfectly refill each and every plug, you never actually dug a hole. How come some authority figure can't ever have the same or similar interpretation, give their blessing on paper for you, just incase a looky-lou tries to give you some grief over it? Think some of those evil bureaucrats might possible detect as well? Maybe you are afraid of what pops up, if they ever put your name in the computer, skeletons? Never in my life have I met anyone sitting at a desk, who was out to spoil my day, like they do for you...

 

[Tom_in_CA]

So They can't grant you permission...

Sure they can Harvey ! That was the point of the rhetorical question! And you bought into it hook-line-&-sinker Therefore, what does that tell you ? Why is THAT "law" different from the texting law, which .... I think you'd agree, you would NEVER get someone to wink and say "go ahead and text while driving". And again, this too is rhetorical, I already know the answer, and it brings us full circle again back to my premise

...How come some authority figure can't ever have the same or similar interpretation, give their blessing on paper for you, just incase a looky-lou tries to give you some grief over it?...

Oh they can. I might indeed get permission, just like some of you. I've stated that many times that it's possible. Thus the issue here is: Why take a chance that someone in a bad mood says "no", simply because he envisions geeks with shovels ? Or someone giving the "safe" answer, yet who otherwise might not ever have given the matter a moment's thought ? If the odds were as good as 70/30 or 80/20, that's a chance that I wouldn't want to risk. Why preclude myself from ANY good park to hunt ?

 

[williamb]

I live in Northern New England. We have not had snow on our baseball field for a week and a half, but still practiced in the gym. The reason.........??? Because we don't want to anyway mess up the field. I don't care how good your plugs are this time of year in N.E. The grass is brown right now, and the roots are not regenerating yet. So that perfectly cut plug, could easily come loose with the help of a brand new baseball spike. I can promise you if I go to MY towns baseball field tomorrow, found a plug or two cut, THERE SURE AS HE!! WOULD BE A BRAND NEW SHINEY SIGN.
like those baseball spikes are good for the grass to . if I had a coach like you I think I would take up metal detecting just to piss in your cherrios .That is why I hate sports so much cause of cauky a&& hoes like you.

 

[williamb]

Did I make a mistake joining in this hobby?. Im beginning to wonder if I did I only done this for to weeks and I already regret doing this. Cause of the stuff you people are saying omg . I think I better take up knitting or something maybe I wont break the law by just owning a detector. I didn't realize there was so much B S in owning one. I wonder if the store will take it back?

 

[popatop]

Did I make a mistake joining in this hobby?. Im beginning to wonder if I did I only done this for to weeks and I already regret doing this. Cause of the stuff you people are saying omg . I think I better take up knitting or something maybe I wont break the law by just owning a detector. I didn't realize there was so much B S in owning one. I wonder if the store will take it back?

Don't worry you are in the right hobby but just like any other hobby there are a few with bad attitudes and lack of respect for the others. Some people just don't get it.

 

[williamb]

I guess you take the good with the bad I don't hunt in ball fields anyway I hunt parks yes. But I try to keep my distance from people cause I don't need theyre drama I got enough of my own lol. I leave the park just if not better than I found it I don't tell people what I find or brag. I find coins just to have a few dollars extra. As im on unemployment cause of work slowing down. I bought the detector for 25 dollars of ebay brand new bounty hunter gold so I didn't pay a lot of money and 20 dollars for my bounty hunter pro pointer 45 plus a 5 dollar garden digger . Fifty bucks so far spent I plan to up grade this fall when work picks up garret 250 probally or a pilot by bounty hunter .this is the one by bounty I want http://www.kellycodetectors.com/bountyhunter/pilot_buy.htm

 

[mountain digger]

Did I make a mistake joining in this hobby?.

No mistake. Just use good common sense and adhere to the MDing Code of Ethics, and you'll find that MDing is relaxing and rewarding. Now for the forum...just pick sides.

Oh, and WELCOME.

 

[CoiltoSoil]

Did I make a mistake joining in this hobby?. Im beginning to wonder if I did I only done this for to weeks and I already regret doing this. Cause of the stuff you people are saying omg . I think I better take up knitting or something maybe I wont break the law by just owning a detector. I didn't realize there was so much B S in owning one. I wonder if the store will take it back?

Some people take this to an extreme, just be respectful, have fun, and detect parks UNLESS they have no detecting rules stated or posted anywhere. Trust me I've been detecting for 20 years and this post makes it sound much worse than it is. The worst that will happen is you're asked to leave, if so then politely leave. 99% of us here detect parks and schools, I'd say most of us never have any issues, the case you heard here is fairly rare. In my 20 years of detecting I was asked to leave one park when I was 15. As for people bothering me, it's never been an issues, some might watch, on occasions some may ask what you found, but in general no ones going to start trouble with you. I doubt some posters on this site even detect, they seem to be here to start trouble and only post on "hot" topics. You're in the right hobby, just do some research and enjoy it. I just received permission for a few state parks, and have a 2nd park site lined up.

 

[williamb]

Some people take this to an extreme, just be respectful, have fun, and detect parks UNLESS they have no detecting rules stated or posted anywhere. Trust me I've been detecting for 20 years and this post makes it sound much worse than it is. The worst that will happen is you're asked to leave, if so then politely leave. 99% of us here detect parks and schools, I'd say most of us never have any issues, the case you heard here is fairly rare. In my 20 years of detecting I was asked to leave one park when I was 15. As for people bothering me, it's never been an issues, some might watch, on occasions some may ask what you found, but in general no ones going to start trouble with you. I doubt some posters on this site even detect, they seem to be here to start trouble and only post on "hot" topics. You're in the right hobby, just do some research and enjoy it. I just received permission for a few state parks, and have a 2nd park site lined up.

good thing then I live in the heart of the civil war in new Madrid mo 2 miles down from island #10 rite now everything is flooded half to wait till the water level drops I have some business cards ordered im gonna go around to some of the farmers and ask to hunt on theyre property while they are disking up fields and such and see if there was some old home sites on theyre property that I could hunt also I really like the hobby it is very cool so far I already can call what it is when I get a hit by the tones and guess what I have a busted ear drum and I can hear the tones better in that ear than the other .