Dirt and the ball

[Az.Ump]

Call time. Walk out to the pitcher and tell her not to do that again and give her a different ball. Tell her coach. Return the ball to the home coach if you judge it has been defaced and get a replacement. If she repeats doing it again eject.

ART. 6 . . . Any defacing, treatment or device that would change the ball spec-
ifications listed in 1-3-3 are prohibited and render the ball illegal.

Paul

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by Az.Ump

Call time. Walk out to the pitcher and tell her not to do that again and give her a different ball. Tell her coach. Return the ball to the home coach if you judge it has been defaced and get a replacement. If she repeats doing it again eject.

ART. 6 . . . Any defacing, treatment or device that would change the ball spec-
ifications listed in 1-3-3 are prohibited and render the ball illegal.

Paul

Have you ever seen a ball DEFACED by dirt? Which "specification" was changed?

[RKBUmp]

Normal wear and tear of the ball is one thing, purposely grinding the ball into the ground is defacing the ball.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

Normal wear and tear of the ball is one thing, purposely grinding the ball into the ground is defacing the ball.

I agree, but she said rub - and I take her at her word. Grinding or something prolonged that I think may damage the ball, I would address as above.

Just rubbing it? That's nothing.

[JEL]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Have you ever seen a ball DEFACED by dirt? Which "specification" was changed?

Then why does MLB change change them out once they are fouled into the dirt?

Must just be a "clone" thing huh?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by umpire12

they change them because the mark on the ball makes it easier for the batter to pick up the rotation of the ball not because they believe the ball has been defaced.occasionally after an infield hit, the pitcher will request a new ball because of a dirt mark on the ball but most of the time, after a pitch in the dirt, its the catcher who requests an inspection from the umpire not the batter. if the catcher thought he could give his pitcher an advantage by through a defaced ball , dont you think he would just return the marked ball to the pitcher?

Nice try.

[JEL]

Originally Posted by umpire12

they change them because the mark on the ball makes it easier for the batter to pick up the rotation of the ball not because they believe the ball has been defaced.occasionally after an infield hit, the pitcher will request a new ball because of a dirt mark on the ball but most of the time, after a pitch in the dirt, its the catcher who requests an inspection from the umpire not the batter. if the catcher thought he could give his pitcher an advantage by through a defaced ball , dont you think he would just return the marked ball to the pitcher?

So a "dirty ball" is not defaced?

[umpirebob71]

I fail to see how rubbing a little dirt on a ball is going to change the size, COR, compression, or the weight & circumference of the ball.

[DaveASA/FED]

Originally Posted by umpirebob71

I fail to see how rubbing a little dirt on a ball is going to change the size, COR, compression, or the weight & circumference of the ball.

Placing rock resin doesn't change any of those either (at least not making it outside acceptable tolerances) but it still changes the ball, makes it easier to grab so it's illegal. Same concept here scuffing it a precise manner that allows the pitcher to get a better grip to throw a more wicked (choose pitch) is an advantage and illegal by rule.

[umpirebob71]

I agree, Dave. The point I was was trying to make was that applying 1-3-6 is, I think, incorrect. I feel that 6-2-2 is a little more accurate. Just my humble opinion.