Legal Pitchers Glove?

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

The rules allow that glove unless the UMPIRE finds that logo or writing distracting. [/b]

I don't think that is in the rulebook, in regards to the optic yellow coloring on the glove. I thought it just said there can't be any coloring or logos that are the color of the ball. Don't have my book here with me so I will look it up later. I personally think it's an illegal glove, but the procedure here (so far anyway) as been to ignore it unless it is brought to our attention then disallow it.

[WestMichBlue]

Coach's complaints about glove and/or shoelace distractions are bull crap. A batter should be coached to pick up the ball as soon as the hands separate and focus on finding the ball off the hip as soon as possible. By time the ball is released, the glove hand is up and away from the release point.

Imagine a coach that complains that his batter's eyes are being distracted and are following the glove instead of the ball. After momentarily choking on my smirk or laughter, I may or may not have a comment about his coaching ability, but we are going on with the game. With the glove; with or without the coach.

There isn't an umpire on this board that will call interference on a runner that passes in front of a defender fielding a ground ball. You would tell the fielder to keep her focus on the ball and not be distracted by the runner. On a major issue like that you are not going to allow a distraction complaint, then why do so for a spot on the glove.

Successful pitching, like the leadership positions in other sports (point guard, quarterback, goalie) tends to be more mental than physical. Coaches know that, and if they can get you to hear them out and even talk to the pitcher (about gloves or IP's or ponytails, or whatever), they have gained a little victory in distracting the pitcher. I don't need a coach telling me what is wrong with a pitcher. If there is a real problem, I would have already taken care of it. When the coach comes out, he is going back in a hurry cause I don't want to talk about it.

WMB

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

I don't think that is in the rulebook, in regards to the optic yellow coloring on the glove. I thought it just said there can't be any coloring or logos that are the color of the ball. Don't have my book here with me so I will look it up later. I personally think it's an illegal glove, but the procedure here (so far anyway) as been to ignore it unless it is brought to our attention then disallow it.

Stated was a Junior College game; that is played under NCAA rules. The NCAA rule is:

10.13.3 The pitcher shall not wear any item on the pitching fingers, hand, wrist, forearm or thighs that an umpire considers distracting. This includes a batting glove, sweatband and loose lacing on a glove, or ballcolored logos. Exception: The pitcher’s fingers, hand, wrist, forearm or elbow may be taped for injury, providing such tape is a neutral color.

I don't see any possible misinterpretation; ballcolored logos on the glove are only illegal if an umpire considers it distracting.

[MGKBLUE]

At the ASA Gold Regional we were instructed by the UIC not to allow the glove to be used by the pitcher in the game.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by MGKBLUE

At the ASA Gold Regional we were instructed by the UIC not to allow the glove to be used by the pitcher in the game.

That was a very liberal interpretation of 3:4 on his part. Extremely. Me, being the person I am, may have had to ask him what he was basing this interpretation on.

[AtlUmpSteve]

In defense of those who state their UIC told them to call it illegal (assuming ASA), and to note why Mike has likely not responded, at last year's National UIC Clinic (Feb 2007), Kevin Ryan directed and interpreted the rule to make that spcific glove illegal. I have never seen that put into writing, nor do believe it ever has been.

I do know that several individuals passed that interpretation to Mizuno representatives, who certainly had extended conversations with Kevin Ryan, and presumably others, about that interpretation. It was specifically communicated that both NCAA and NFHS rules needed no such interpretation, that logo's and writing were not considered an intrinsic part of the glove, and that it had been stated multiple times that we were making efforts to eliminate unnecessary and unintended differences in interpretation between ASA/NFHS/NCAA whenever possible, without changing the inherent intended differences which do exist.

I will admit that I did not follow-up since, as I disagreed with him then, still do, and hoped that no news and an unstated and unwritten policy had been changed by those involved. I was and have been in "don't ask, don't tell" mode regarding ASA; but NCAA and NFHS are clear. If (Irish) Mike felt strongly that the interpretation was correct, he surely would have spoken up in this thread by now.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Coach: Blue, she can't use that glove, it is optic yellow.
Me: Really, Coach? I don't see it.
Coach: How can you miss it?
Me: Coach, I just cannot see it.
Coach: You can't see the "M" and "Mizuno" on that glove?
Me: Sure, Coach, I see that.
Coach: Well, the pitcher cannot use a glove which includes the color of the ball.
Me: That's right, Coach. If part of the glove was optic yellow, I would tell her she cannot use it.
Coach: THE LOGO AND NAME IS OPTIC YELLOW!!!!
Me: Oh, no, Coach. That's not optic yellow.
Coach: It's NOT?!?!
Me: No, Coach. In my judgment, that's green.


BTW, I'm pretty much with Steve on this issue.

[SRW]

2006 ASA National Umpire School, Seattle: J. Craig to umpire students: That glove is illegal if worn by the pitcher.

2006 ASA/USA 16A National, Seattle: J. Craig to umpire crew: That glove is illegal if worn by the pitcher.

2007 ASA National Umpire School, Alaska: J. Craig to umpire students: That glove is illegal if worn by the pitcher.

2007 ASA Advanced Fast Pitch Camp, Georgia: K. Ryan to umpire students: That glove is illegal if worn by the pitcher.

Seems pretty consistent to me.

[MichaelVA2000]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

I do know that several individuals passed that interpretation to Mizuno representatives,

Maybe that's why Mizuno put their name on the middle finger of the glove. Kind of a statement in itself.

[Dutch Alex]

Originally Posted by MichaelVA2000

Maybe that's why Mizuno put their name on the middle finger of the glove. Kind of a statement in itself.

I like this statement! Even when Mizuno fooled me also the first time I saw this glove: A dutch national-team pitcher was standing on the plate, ball in bare hand and I'm pretty sure I saw the ball in her glove!I could see the ball between her fingers... We don't have two ball's in this game, I've asked myself.
Well this pitcher has played since then with this glove several games for the national championships, for the European Cup and - championships, Olympic Qualifiërs and was in feb. on a tour with the Dutch Olympic softball team in San Fran. and on Hawahi. If all the umpires in those games didn't tell her to change her glove, why would I?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

I don't think that is in the rulebook, in regards to the optic yellow coloring on the glove. I thought it just said there can't be any coloring or logos that are the color of the ball. Don't have my book here with me so I will look it up later. I personally think it's an illegal glove, but the procedure here (so far anyway) as been to ignore it unless it is brought to our attention then disallow it.

Since it was never stated what code you are using, you have been given the interpretation for NCAA. For NFHS, it could also be a legal glove, since their rule states "glove lacing and manufacturers logo are not to be considered one of the two colors permitted" for a glove to be. It also states that only gloves that are entirely grey, white, or optic yellow are to be considered illegal. The rest it leaves up to umpire discretion.

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Since it was never stated what code you are using, you have been given the interpretation for NCAA. For NFHS, it could also be a legal glove, since their rule states "glove lacing and manufacturers logo are not to be considered one of the two colors permitted" for a glove to be. It also states that only gloves that are entirely grey, white, or optic yellow are to be considered illegal. The rest it leaves up to umpire discretion.

Yeah I meant ASA.