Watching my daughter's first college level game Saturday and saw something new.
The opposing pitcher had a wad of bubble gum and as she completed her windup and about the time she releases the pitch, out comes this 1.5" bubble from her mouth.
It wasn't coincidental. Every pitch, every batter for the 4 innings she was in the game. Didn't see it during warmups.
I asked our coach if he thought it was a distraction and he questioned the HP umpire. Umpire didn't make an issue of it.
After the game, I asked the blue about it and he didn't think it was a big deal. I asked him if a batter had complained, what then?
He replied that if a batter had said something, then it would be an issue.
I guess whatever works but I know I was fixated on it.
Any thoughts?

Yeah, pray for a big wind to blow it back into her face! :D

A 1.5" bubble from 40' is a distraction to the batter?

Sorry, Chief, but an umpire has quite a few more things going on at that time. And I would think the batter would be paying more attention to the pitch.

If she was smoking a cigs and drinking a beer,
this might present a problem, but bubble gum..
Like Mike said, too many important things going
on.

glen

1. Don't mention it to your daughter because she will then fixate on it, too.
2. At the college level, don't be surprise if the coaches and umpires aren't as receptive to input from spectators.

Dan,
You've become a master of the understatement.

Steve M

As a batter, I would be more concerned with the 12" ball than the 1.5" bubble. If you're looking at the bubble, you're looking at the wrong spot.