Interesting Dilemma

[pob14]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner

Now that we've gotten beyond the c'mon guys lets play just play ball issue (which is a philosophy I agree with), how would we reconcile the problem at hand within the limits of the rulebook?

If we're playing it that way . . . what rule requires the pitcher to wear a glove?

Originally Posted by Rule 3.06 (old rule 1.14)

Each fielder, other than the catcher, may use or wear a leather glove.

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by pob14

If we're playing it that way . . . what rule requires the pitcher to wear a glove?

That was actually the solution I was prepared to suggest if it came to to it. I'm actually serving as an assistant coach for this team, which is where the comical back story that I mentioned in the OP comes into play.

I've really scaled back the amount of games I call over the last couple of years so I could coach my son and enjoy the quality time with him before he gets to the point of playing school ball. In any case, knowing the rule, I brought this up with "mitt only" boy's father during practice before the season. I let him know that his son would only be able to play catcher or first base with his mitt. Otherwise, he would need a glove. I then had to explain the difference between a glove and a mitt, and finally I had to do my best to control my sarcastic wit when he asked me if that was "actually in the rules". It took every thing I had to not say, "No, it isn't really a rule, I just make stuff up because I hold the patent on baseball gloves and get a royalty for each one sold".

Our head coach didn't think anyone would have a problem with it, which bugged the part of me that believes in rules/order, but the let them play side of me was fine with this. I did tell him there was a decent chance someone would complain about it though. I also had to restrain the "I told you so" that was running through my head when it happened in just the second game of our season and the first time he played anywhere besides first base.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by pob14

If we're playing it that way . . . what rule requires the pitcher to wear a glove?

FYI the LL rule says "must wear a glove"

[MD Longhorn]

OBR - no requirement to use a glove... so if we're sticking to the rulebook here, he pitches with no glove to at least one batter.

[bob jenkins]

There is no way in any youth game I am forcing, or even suggesting, and probably not allowing, a kid to play with no glove.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

There is no way in any youth game I am forcing, or even suggesting, and probably not allowing, a kid to play with no glove.

I agree. I was just participating in the exercise.

[JJ]

"Where's the nearest Walmart? Let's go get you a glove, Billy."

JJ

[Robert Goodman]

Is there an advantage to a pitcher from wearing a 1B mitt?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

OBR - no requirement to use a glove... so if we're sticking to the rulebook here, he pitches with no glove to at least one batter.

That's what I'd do if we're going by the book.

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

There is no way in any youth game I am forcing, or even suggesting, and probably not allowing, a kid to play with no glove.

That's what I'd do if I did youth ball.

[BoomerSooner]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

FYI the LL rule says "must wear a glove"

Rich, I've never worked LL and am not familiar with that rule set. Do they give specific requirements for the glove that must be worn. A batting glove is a glove and would meet the requirement of wearing a glove (unless the are additional requirements) but not violate the prohibition on using a mitt.

To Bob's point, I'm sure his concern is safety and I was prepared with a solution had it come to stalemate with nobody being willing to yield. I would have told him to intentionally walk the batter and then had the catcher walk the ball out to the pitcher after each pitch. He could also roll it back or we could just invoke one of the minor rule modifications that allows a team to intentional walk a batter upon a verbal request. Walking it back to the pitcher would have been a good way to show displeasure with the situation (can anyone say passive-aggressive?).