Pitchers and foreign substances

[Steve M]

Wade,
There's a big difference in being asked to check a pitcher's hand by the other team and you as an ump noticing. Andy's original question was what would you do if YOU noticed. Your latest to Mike said "Its still the same - I'd check the pitchers hand if I needed to (ie they made me)" This makes me think we're reading things differently.

So, to clarify my response
If I notice, I am going to take a discreet look as I said above.
If I am asked by the other team, that's already "formal", so I'm going to get my partner and we are going to actually inspect.

Having done some B & C ball, if you ever get the chance to work some Majors - do it. That's a whole 'nother world. I laugh when I see the major leaguers trying to bat against some women olympians and not doing well (celebrating when somebody hits a weak foul). Move the pitchers back 3 feet (to start) and add maybe 20mph to the speed - the major leaguers wouldn't even sniff the ball until the catcher showed it to them.