Fed Rules only:

Are there any restrictions on who can use a first baseman's glove? Can a pitcher use it? Can a third baseman use it?
Please cite the rules that apply.

In the 2004 book, 1-4 there is no mention I can find of a firt basemans mitt. I would assume if it measures correctly anyone could use it.

again-- I mention a situation I encountered
last week in an FHSAA (Federation Rules)
game-- the 3rd base player was wearing a mitt--
the opposing coach kept insisting that it was
illegal, and even shoved a rule book in my face at the
end of the game (I couldn't read it w/o my glasses)
--he then "black-balled" me from his team's games--
guess he couldn't read the book either !!
I guess it shouldn't surprise me how all too many of
these high school coaches do not know the rules !!

In FED, the only restrictions on gloves/mitts are dimensions, and for the pitcher, colors. And that a glove/mitt SHALL be worn.

"--he then "black-balled" me from his team's games--"

Your association needs either an assignor with guts, or stricter rules on "blackballing".

In the associations I belonged to, ONLY the AD could make the request to not assign an umpire. Then, it had to be written, and with specific reasons.

"My coach doesn't like the way 'Ulysses Umpire' calls his/her games".

"Tough luck, coach. If you can't list rules misinterpretations, etc., there will be no restrictions on good old 'U U '."

I was the assignor for our softball association for a few years, and this is the way we operated. No valid reasons, no red-lining.


"I guess it shouldn't surprise me how all too many of
these high school coaches do not know the rules !!"

Many of them won't believe you when you show them the rule involved. Some will read the rule until the part that validates their complaint. But they don't keep reading to see the exceptions. The HS coaches I used to 'love' were the ones who managed/coached in Little League, and believed FED played by the same rules. I had a first-year frosh softball coach try to re-enter a starter in a different slot in the batting order. I kept telling her that it wasn't legal. Then I realized she probably had managed/coached in Little League, and told her that she couldn't do it, because it meant a forfeit, and that I would show her, and explain the rule after the game. Even after I showed her the rule book, she still couldn't understand.

I had a VARSITY coach try to convince me that the Infield Fly Rule was to protect the infielders, NOT the runners.

OH WELL!!

Bob

[Edited by bluezebra on Mar 25th, 2005 at 06:00 PM]

WinterWillie,

NFHS Rule 1-4 <b>Gloves/mitts</b> shall be worn by all fielders.
No restrictions to certain fielders. Anyone may use a mitt. It
just must meet the requirements of R1-4-3a,b,&c.

If any one cares
IFS
A mitt can only be used by the catcher of 1st base

What's IFS?

Bob

Sorry typing is not my strongest point
ISF
International Softball Federation
Rules played by the world softball nations except USA

I think it is very important for us and especially
the newer umpires to know that coaches do not
spend the time that we do going over rules
and play situations---sure--we can "kick" a call now
and then, but by and large we have a pretty good
record of getting things right !

--one last thought on the "blackballing"
--I've been officiating sports (baseball,
softball, football) in one form or another
since 1957- and this is the only time I've
been personna no grata for any team--
if I were the assignor I'd assign my
weakest/least experienced umpires to
that coach for the remainder of the season !!
But that is not in my capacity, so I'll simply
say "f***-off" to that coach by ignoring him !!

"...if I were the assignor I'd assign my
weakest/least experienced umpires to
that coach for the remainder of the season !!"

I also assigned volleyball in my area for a few years, and we did just that with one of the local high schools. The Varsity coach constantly complained about the officials, EVEN two who are C1, and do major college playoffs. The BOD, the Instructional Chairman, and I met, and decided to assign barely qualified officials for the rest of the season.

It got so bad with this coach, we told the AD (a very decent guy) that either get tell this woman to calm down, or we would not send them officials, because all our members scratched that school. It worked.

Bob

Maybe in a past life he played/coached ASA; there are rules about mitts/gloves restriction there.

From NCAA rulebook:
"Gloves/Mitts
SECTION 7. All players except the catcher and first baseman must use a leather fielder’s glove that meets the following maximum specifications:
Palm width: 8 inches; top opening of web: 5 inches; web top to bottom:
71⁄4 inches; thumb top to bottom edge: 91⁄4 inches; highest finger top to bottom
edge: 14 inches.
The catcher may wear a leather glove or leather mitt of any dimension.
The first baseman may wear a leather glove or a leather mitt, but each must comply with the specifications of a fielder’s glove.
Note: In order for the first baseman to be entitled to use a first baseman’s mitt, she must be positioned on the right side of the infield at the time of release of the pitch."

YES, but even ASA says a Firstbaseman cannot wear a mitt if they are playing a shift that takes him/her out of a normal 1st base position.