licking fingers

shipwreck · #1 (**permalink**) Tue Apr 07, 2009, 07:54pm

Does any sanctioning body in FP allow licking the fingers while in the circle but not while on the pitching plate? It seems I remember reading that somewhere it said it is OK as long as the pitcher wasn't on the PP. I believe NCAA says they can't be in the circle at all and do this without getting an illegal pitch called. Dave

3SPORT · #2 (**permalink**) Tue Apr 07, 2009, 08:06pm

It isn't illegal to lick your fingers in the circle, the key is to make sure you wipe your hand prior to getting on the pp. If the pitcher does not wipe off then you have an illegal pitch.

DeputyUICHousto · #3 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 08, 2009, 06:30am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3SPORT

It isn't illegal to lick your fingers in the circle, the key is to make sure you wipe your hand prior to getting on the pp. If the pitcher does not wipe off then you have an illegal pitch.

any "foreign" substance...including dirt should the pitcher pick up a handful.

AtlUmpSteve · #4 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 08, 2009, 08:08am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3SPORT

It isn't illegal to lick your fingers in the circle, the key is to make sure you wipe your hand prior to getting on the pp. If the pitcher does not wipe off then you have an illegal pitch.

It isn't illegal to lick your fingers on the pitcher's plate, either.

The rule says the pitcher must wipe off before bringing that hand in contact with the ball. That is true in ASA, NFHS, and NCAA. There is nothing stated about any location where this can or cannot happen, so it can legally happen anywhere.

IRISHMAFIA · #5 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 08, 2009, 09:55am

Speaking ASA

There is no rule forbidding the pitcher from licking their fingers at any time or place on the field.

shipwreck · #6 (**permalink**) Wed Apr 08, 2009, 09:58am

That's what I thought but some JUCO coach tried to tell the PU, who had just called an illegal pitch on his pitcher because she licked her fingers and didn't wipe off. He claimed as long as she did that BEFORE being on the PP, it wasn't illegal. Go figure. Dave