Logos on uniform
 

Hello, I am a football official who moonlights as a softball coach (and perhaps, someday in the future, an umpire). I am hoping the expert minds here can help me with a uniform question.

Is there any prohibition against including the image of a softball in a team's logo? I know there are such rules in MLB, and football has rules against penalty flag-colored pads and gloves, but I cannot find anything in the ASA rules about the subject. I am interested in learning if any of the youth-oriented rule codes ban the inclusion of such an image. Thanks in advance.

As long as the image is not near life-size and positioned where it would be a distraction on the pitcher or a deception on anyone, I don't know of any rule.

Speaking ASA

There are no such uniform restrictions other than names/logo's of other softball associations.

What about 6-6-B?

If the team has a uniform with something on it, the pitcher is required, by rule, to wear the same uniform. The pitcher is not permitted to wear a different uniform.

I don't know if you consider a uniform "an item".

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you are not correct, but how would you get around 3.6?

There is a rule in NF and LL that prohibits a likeness of a softball on the uniform. If you ask me it's a stupid rule. If a batter or other player gets confused because there's a picture of a softball on a uniform - they should be in therapy not softball. In ASA I defer to the experts in that field (no pun intended).

The question is not getting around 3.6, just following 3.6 w/o violating 6-6-B. If something on the pitcher is illegal or distracting, then literal application if 3.6 would mean no one can wear it. It's that applying the whole rule book thing.

Would you allow a pitcher with a life-size optic yellow softball on the front of her stride foot thigh?

Does it match her purse and earrings??:D

No. This violates 6-6-B, and as such would fall under the last sentence of the first paragraph of rule 3-6... an illegal part of the uniform (for the pitcher).

The uniform rule says the uniforms must be alike in color and style, not that they must be identical (although that is probably the intent).

So, if the uniform includes black shorts with a life-sized optic yellow ball image on the leg of the shorts near the release point of the ball from the pitcher's hand, the pitcher may wear plain black shorts, or may wear her shorts backwards. But, the image of the softball has to go. Or, she can play shortstop.

OK, coach, call the UIC for a ruling.

There's a team up here in Seattle with black sweat pants with an optic yellow ball on the right thigh with the player's jersey number in the ball. Same concept. Pitcher can't wear the sweats, or she can turn them backwards or inside out.

y'all need to remember, 6.6.B does not forbid it unless the umpire deems the "item" to be a distraction.

Practicing to move south, Mike? ;)

Been there, done that and I will not make the same mistake twice.

We'all thunk that was a given. :)

Just a note. Jewelry is not forbidden, by rule without the umpire's judgment, but many believe it is a given, thunk it or not.

Mike, who mentioned Jewelry?

Damn you for hijacking... :D

Tcblue13 did... but then, he also mentioned a purse. ;)

Well... then... pardon me... :)

But... then... damn Tcblue13 for hijacking! :D