Pitcher's finger taping?

[dittoz]

I have an observation post elsewhere on the site, but wanted to get input on the topic...

What is the ASA rule (14u) as to a pitcher having tape on the first two (or any for that matter) fingers on her pitching hand? Like so many, I thought it was expressly forbidden, but I am now hearing otherwise...

[wadeintothem]

ASA - yes as long as its not distracting
NFHS - no.

[dittoz]

Interesting - along with about 1000 others, I have always been wrong on this rule.

We were at Arnaiz this weekend and one of the Grapettes pitchers had her fingers taped - got some amazing spin on the ball which of course generated a lot of commentary on the nature of the supposed "injury".

I talked to the UIC at the time and got a real quick commentary from him, but he didn't have a lot of time to talk as he was the BU on an adjoining field.

Thanks for the confirmation

[wadeintothem]

well, which team.

If it was DG's 18 team, he probably thought it was illegal and he was getting away with it.
If it was CR's 14 team, he knew the rule and was using it to his advantage.



(just goofin with yall, dont none of you grapettes get yer panties in a wad, especially you who know who I am)

[nohesitation]

I have an observation post elsewhere on the site, but wanted to get input on the topic...

What is the ASA rule (14u) as to a pitcher having tape on the first two (or any for that matter) fingers on her pitching hand? Like so many, I thought it was expressly forbidden, but I am now hearing otherwise...

You asked for the rule and here it is:
ASA Rule 6-6-B: “A pitcher shall not wear any item on the pitching hand, wrist, forearm, elbow or thighs, which may, in the umpire’s judgment, be distracting to the batter. Batting gloves may not be worn on the pitching hand.”

Now my story:
I had a pitcher who was as fair as they get. Days before a game she jammed her finger playing basketball. So at game time we taped two fingers together with standard white athletic tape. Before the first batter the umpire said she had to remove the tape because it didn’t match her skin color. The tape was only a little whiter than her hand. So she had to remove the tape. Moral of the story, have tape that matches your pitches hand exactly, or don’t allow your pitcher to play basketball, unless she is really good and you won’t make it to August with out her.

[wadeintothem]

I have an observation post elsewhere on the site, but wanted to get input on the topic...

What is the ASA rule (14u) as to a pitcher having tape on the first two (or any for that matter) fingers on her pitching hand? Like so many, I thought it was expressly forbidden, but I am now hearing otherwise...

You asked for the rule and here it is:
ASA Rule 6-6-B: “A pitcher shall not wear any item on the pitching hand, wrist, forearm, elbow or thighs, which may, in the umpire’s judgment, be distracting to the batter. Batting gloves may not be worn on the pitching hand.”

Now my story:
I had a pitcher who was as fair as they get. Days before a game she jammed her finger playing basketball. So at game time we taped two fingers together with standard white athletic tape. Before the first batter the umpire said she had to remove the tape because it didn’t match her skin color. The tape was only a little whiter than her hand. So she had to remove the tape. Moral of the story, have tape that matches your pitches hand exactly, or don’t allow your pitcher to play basketball, unless she is really good and you won’t make it to August with out her.

NCAA requires the color be neutral. It is possible that led to the confusion. It does get difficult when each or has a slightly different variant of a particular rule (or mechanic, etc etc).

[Old Darter]

so if a pitcher has a neutral colored foreign substance on her pitching hand it is not illegal? Maybe skin colored stick 'em to increase the grip or alter the balls trajectory? What's the difference? Are you really saying the tape on the fingers of the pitching hand DOESN'T effect the trajectory or spin on the pitched ball?

[dittoz]

It was CR and they definitely knew the rule and had it all set up.
The umpire went out and started making the pitcher take the pitcher take it off and coach about hatched kittens. Started yelling to call the UIC, that this was an injury and that tape wasn't coming off...

Later during the same game, when I was talking to the UIC, he knew all about this pitcher even though it was their first game. I'd bet they already had discussed and cleared it ahead of time...

No big deal - this was a "friendly" Grapette tourney, it's fall and they're only 14's. But I'll tell ya... the kid had some pretty terrific spin on that ball !

[wadeintothem]

Later during the same game, when I was talking to the UIC, he knew all about this pitcher even though it was their first game. I'd bet they already had discussed and cleared it ahead of time...

Of course we know that team and we know CR; and if you know CR at all you would seriously doubt CR "cleared" anything with an umpire before a game. CR knows the rules and he knows the game.

Now if he could just get those people skills down... lol..

No big deal - this was a "friendly" Grapette tourney, it's fall and they're only 14's. But I'll tell ya... the kid had some pretty terrific spin on that ball !

Friendly or national 14U or 18G, the rule is the rule.

[nohesitation]

so if a pitcher has a neutral colored foreign substance on her pitching hand it is not illegal? Maybe skin colored stick 'em to increase the grip or alter the balls trajectory? What's the difference? Are you really saying the tape on the fingers of the pitching hand DOESN'T effect the trajectory or spin on the pitched ball?

ASA Rule 6-6-A: A defensive player shall not at any time during the game be allowed to use any foreign substance upon the ball. Under the supervision and control of the umpire, powdered resin may be used to dry the hands. Applying resin in the glove and then placing the ball in the glove is an illegal act.

If the adhesive of the tape was making contact with the ball, I would have a problem with that.
In most cases the tape backing would prevent that. If the tape slipped an exposed the adhesive, then again I have a problem.