What is the ruling if a team is found with illegal equipment during play?

The situation in which a team is found with illegal equipment during play typically allows for a warning to be issued while the game continues. This ruling is designed to promote fair play and give the team an opportunity to rectify the situation without overly penalizing them in the immediate moment.

When a team is using illegal equipment, umpires generally address the issue by notifying the offending team of the violation and issuing a warning. This approach acknowledges that the team might not have intentionally violated the rules and allows for a chance to correct the issue without immediately enforcing severe penalties, such as forfeiting the game or declaring an immediate loss. The focus is on ensuring that the game can continue while maintaining the integrity of the equipment regulations.

Once warned, teams are expected to comply with the rules going forward, and further infractions would typically lead to more serious consequences. This demonstrates a balance between maintaining the game's competitive integrity and being reasonable towards the players and coaches involved.