Pitchers and foreign substances

[Andy]

There is a big, long discussion on the baseball board regarding the stuff that Detroit pitcher Kenny Rogers had on his hand at the beginning of Game 2 of the World Series.

Rogers finger 'stuff'

I posed this same question on the baseball board to get a feel for the philosophy of how baseball umpires would handle it. I would like to ask how we as softball umpires would react:

If you noticed something unusual on the pitcher's person, would you intitiate an inspection or would you wait for the opposing coach to bring it to your attention?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Andy

If you noticed something unusual on the pitcher's person, would you intitiate an inspection or would you wait for the opposing coach to bring it to your attention?

Preventive umpiring.

If I noticed something on the pitcher that could be a problem, I would check it out, discreetly.

[Skahtboi]

I agree with Mike's assessment.

[ntxblue]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

I agree with Mike's assessment.

Yes, Scott . . . and then JO changes the ruling and HIS rule book to suit!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by ntxblue

Yes, Scott . . . and then JO changes the ruling and HIS rule book to suit!

Say what?................

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Say what?................

ditto

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Preventive umpiring.

If I noticed something on the pitcher that could be a problem, I would check it out, discreetly.

Why be discrete?

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

Why be discrete?

I agree with Tony on this. Why? If something is suspicious I'll probably call the coach out and go to the pitcher and look at her hand. If it's nothing I offer some sort of "apology" and go back to the game - if it's something - that's different. Maybe there's a purpose for being discrete but I don't know what that would be.

[Steve M]

I'm another one who is going to discreetly check something. I'll get a look at it when I clean the pitcher's plate and take a little longer than normal - may even have a brief discussion with the pitcher.
If after I've discreetly looked, I'm still suspicious, I'll take a "formal" look. That, most likely will be with my partner and the pitcher's coach.
If, after I've discreetly looked, I think it's nothing - nobody ever need know that I got a good look at "it".

[ntxblue]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Say what?................

Sorry, Mike . . . just referencing an uncomfortable situation Scott encountered with an "inventive" UIC.

[wadeintothem]

oh for goodness sakes.. this is JO softball not the MLB World Series where Tony and his good ole boy network dont want to raise a stink.

If I have reason to suspect something is on the pitchers hand, i'm calling time and me and the coach will go have a look.

Simple.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

oh for goodness sakes.. this is JO softball not the MLB World Series where Tony and his good ole boy network dont want to raise a stink.

Who said it was JO? Ever work Men's Major FP? I know a couple on this board have. Do you know what color the ball is by the time the pitcher is finished with it?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Who said it was JO? Ever work Men's Major FP? I know a couple on this board have. Do you know what color the ball is by the time the pitcher is finished with it?

I work as much mens FP (usually B&C) as I can; although because of the area, not as much as I like.

Its still the same - I'd check the pitchers hand if I needed to (ie they made me)

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by ntxblue

Yes, Scott . . . and then JO changes the ruling and HIS rule book to suit!

But of course he would. It could even include making sure that the foreign substance was back on there after the one inning DQ-ing.

[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.