Glove question

[VikingCatcher7]

I have a teamate who uses a softball catchers glove, to play 1st base. Umpire noticed it, and said he had to remove the glove from the game. He refuse to clarify, other than saying it was illegal. We play by OBR. Thanks in advance for any clarification.

[UmpJM]

VikingCatcher7,

The legality of the 1st Baseman's glove is defined by it's dimensions, web construction, and materials as specified in:

1.13
The first baseman may wear a leather glove or mitt not more than twelve inches long from top to bottom and not more than eight inches wide across the palm, measured from the base of the thumb crotch to the outer edge of the mitt. The space between the thumb section and the finger section of the mitt shall not exceed four inches at the top of the mitt and 31/2 inches at the base of the thumb crotch. The mitt shall be constructed so that this space is permanently fixed and cannot be enlarged, extended, widened, or deepened by the use of any materials or process whatever. The web of the mitt shall measure not more than five inches from its top to the base of the thumb crotch. The web may be either a lacing, lacing through leather tunnels, or a center piece of leather which may be an extension of the palm connected to the mitt with lacing and constructed so that it will not exceed the above mentioned measurements. The webbing shall not be constructed of wound or wrapped lacing.

If it conforms in all respects, it is legal, even if it says "Softball" on it. If it does not conform, it is illegal.

Did the umpire check/remove the glove at the request of the opposing coach, or on his own?

JM

[nickrego]

What type of game was it ?

If it was an Adult 'Pay to Play' league, I would make every effort not to see it, unless the other coach complained about it. Then, I would tell him to bring out a rule book and tape measure, so 'he' could prove it was illegal.

I can't imagine a coach complaining about it. A 1st baseman's mitt is designed to catch those tough one-hopper's. A catcher's mitt is designed to catch a fastball. Why would he want to force the other defense to give up such a disadvantage ?

[TussAgee11]

While we're on the topic, what about catcher's using first baseman mitts? It typically happens with the really little kids. I tell the coach to get them using a real glove (cause it is safer, the sidewall is bigger and wont' hurt them, and because if they ever want to be a good catcher they ain't doing it using this). As long as they conform to the catcher's glove standards I guess they're okay, but I don't think they do.

[UmpJM]

TussAgee11,

Because of one particular personal experience, I have done a fair amount of research into the question you ask.

I can tell you the following:

1. If you are playing under OBR rules, ALL legal first baseman's mitts/gloves are legal for the catcher to use. (JEA supports this assertion, while J/R does not. I am not sure what the J/R rationale is.)

2. If you are playing under FED rules, it is also legal for the catcher to use a first baseman's mitt/glove.

3. If you are playing under "official" LL rules, it is NOT legal for a catcher to use a first baseman's mitt/glove. The catcher MUST use a "catcher's mitt", although no specific criteria are offered by which one could determine whether the "thing" on the catcher's "catching hand" was legal or not. By my read, what a hockey goalie wears on his "catching hand" would be legal under the LL rules.

As an unrelated point of information, no catcher who has ever caught for a team I have coached has ever played catcher while not equipped with what anyone would consider a legal catcher's mitt.

JM

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

TussAgee11,

Because of one particular personal experience, I have done a fair amount of research into the question you ask.

I can tell you the following:

1. If you are playing under OBR rules, ALL legal first baseman's mitts/gloves are legal for the catcher to use. (JEA supports this assertion, while J/R does not. I am not sure what the J/R rationale is.)

2. If you are playing under FED rules, it is also legal for the catcher to use a first baseman's mitt/glove.

3. If you are playing under "official" LL rules, it is NOT legal for a catcher to use a first baseman's mitt/glove. The catcher MUST use a "catcher's mitt", although no specific criteria are offered by which one could determine whether the "thing" on the catcher's "catching hand" was legal or not. By my read, what a hockey goalie wears on his "catching hand" would be legal under the LL rules.

As an unrelated point of information, no catcher who has ever caught for a team I have coached has ever played catcher while not equipped with what anyone would consider a legal catcher's mitt.

JM

The game I was doing was LL, so I guess I told them to change it with just cause in the rulebook. I'm so lost on so many LL rules, I try to keep up but with FED and OBR, my brain can only switch modes so many times.


Now I know one more thing about the world of the tiny tots, thanks.

[TussAgee11]

And one more thing, what side of that personal experience were you on? Sounds like a good story...

[UmpJM]

TussAgee11,

This is the text of the LL rule on the question:

(BASEBALL) 1.12 -- The catcher must wear a catcher's mitt (not a first baseman's mitt or fielder's glove) of any shape, size or weight consistent with protecting the hand.

JM

[TussAgee11]

there its on...

[VikingCatcher7]

The umpire noticed it when the other teams coach pointed it out. Although most people would think it sucks for picking the ball, if you used to play catcher, it is wonderful. Sadly, I am the guy the took his spot at catcher, and made him move to first. A catcher can only be so good if his arm blows.

By the way, we measured it since I saw this post, and it just barely fits in the measurements posted. I must say it is large, and just looked odd.