Batting Gloves In Pocket

[His High Holiness]

Originally posted by TwoBits
It's preventative officiating. Telling a batter to tuck in his gloves prevents the inevitable argument that will occur if he his gloves are touched by a pitched ball and he is put back into the box or if he is called out for being tagged on the gloves.

It is OOO officiating. In 2000 games, I have never seen a player get hit only on the batting glove in his rear pocket. Let us assume that he did get hit there, however. This would mean that the pitcher had thrown a pitch BEHIND the batter.

For that bad of a pitch, I would give him first base. But this is all conjecture. We are debating a once in a lifetime situation. The only reason to demand that a player remove his batting gloves from his pockets is to be an OOO.

Being on a power trip is one of the motivations for becoming an umpire, so if it suits you, go do it. Do not call it preventative officiating, however. You are fooling no one but yourself. The players and coaches will hold you in silent contempt.

Peter