Pitcher rubbing dirt on a softball

[ice_67]

Is rubbing dirt on a softball legal? ASA rules. Saw a pitcher take a hand full of dirt and rub it on the ball last weekend. She did this multiple times. I thought it could be called as applying a foreign substance to the ball.

[Hitmechanic]

Is rubbing dirt on a softball legal? ASA rules. Saw a pitcher take a hand full of dirt and rub it on the ball last weekend. She did this multiple times. I thought it could be called as applying a foreign substance to the ball.

Correct. Illegal pitch.

[MTR]

Is rubbing dirt on a softball legal? ASA rules. Saw a pitcher take a hand full of dirt and rub it on the ball last weekend. She did this multiple times. I thought it could be called as applying a foreign substance to the ball.

To rub down the ball, legal. To apply to stay on the ball, illegal

[2bucketdad]

Not even supposed to rub dirt on your hand and pit your hand on directly on the ball without first wiping your hand. Illegal pitch ball to the batter any runners advance one base.

[skahtboi]

Is rubbing dirt on a softball legal? ASA rules. Saw a pitcher take a hand full of dirt and rub it on the ball last weekend. She did this multiple times. I thought it could be called as applying a foreign substance to the ball.

To rub down the ball, legal. To apply to stay on the ball, illegal

Not sure what you are saying here, but if I understand you, you are saying the players can rub the ball with dirt? This is not true. Not in ASA, NFHS, or NCAA. This is why, when schools fail to "rough up" new game balls before game time, I have the fielders warm up with them.

[MTR]

Not sure what you are saying here, but if I understand you, you are saying the players can rub the ball with dirt? This is not true. Not in ASA, NFHS, or NCAA. This is why, when schools fail to "rough up" new game balls before game time, I have the fielders warm up with them.

That's funny, because I just pick up an handful of dirt and rub down the ball.

I am aware of the case play, but a little common sense is in order here. The dirt is a common factor in the game. The ball rolls on, is thrown and batted into the dirt the entire game. How can a substance which is part of the field and game be considered a foreign substance?

I didn't say "apply it to the ball" or pitch the ball with dirt attached to it or still in the hand. I'm not talking about rubbing or scraping the ball on the ground. I'm simply talking about taking some dirt in one's hand and rubbing the ball. All it does is remove the machine-applied sheen from the ball. IOW, doing the same thing that "may" occur by throwing/rolling the ball into the dirt, just doing it more efficiently and evenly over the surface of the ball.

[ice_67]

Not sure what you are saying here, but if I understand you, you are saying the players can rub the ball with dirt? This is not true. Not in ASA, NFHS, or NCAA. This is why, when schools fail to "rough up" new game balls before game time, I have the fielders warm up with them.

That's funny, because I just pick up an handful of dirt and rub down the ball.

I am aware of the case play, but a little common sense is in order here. The dirt is a common factor in the game. The ball rolls on, is thrown and batted into the dirt the entire game. How can a substance which is part of the field and game be considered a foreign substance?

I didn't say "apply it to the ball" or pitch the ball with dirt attached to it or still in the hand. I'm not talking about rubbing or scraping the ball on the ground. I'm simply talking about taking some dirt in one's hand and rubbing the ball. All it does is remove the machine-applied sheen from the ball. IOW, doing the same thing that "may" occur by throwing/rolling the ball into the dirt, just doing it more efficiently and evenly over the surface of the ball.

MTR,

I understand your point, but when I see a pitcher get called for IP for not wiping her hands after she brushed her fingers into the dirt, then what's the difference.

[MTR]

MTR,

I understand your point, but when I see a pitcher get called for IP for not wiping her hands after she brushed her fingers into the dirt, then what's the difference.

I think that is just as ludicrous as calling an IP for a pitcher not wiping off their fingers after going to the mouth.

Just how is the ball of that size going to be affected by a pitcher licking her fingers? A pitcher can use resin on their hands, but not dirt. How does that make any sense? On top of that, it isn't really enforcable. A pitcher goes to the mouth or dirt, drops the hand to the pants and similates wiping their fingers, but actually does not. There is no umpire who is going to see that or stop the game to make that call.

[skahtboi]

MTR,

I understand your point, but when I see a pitcher get called for IP for not wiping her hands after she brushed her fingers into the dirt, then what's the difference.

I think that is just as ludicrous as calling an IP for a pitcher not wiping off their fingers after going to the mouth.

Just how is the ball of that size going to be affected by a pitcher licking her fingers? A pitcher can use resin on their hands, but not dirt. How does that make any sense? On top of that, it isn't really enforcable. A pitcher goes to the mouth or dirt, drops the hand to the pants and similates wiping their fingers, but actually does not. There is no umpire who is going to see that or stop the game to make that call.

Bottom line is that is what the rules say. Call the IP if they apply any foreign substance, other than roisin (resin) with umpire supervision. It doesn't matter if you agree with the rule or not. There are several rules I don't necessarily agree with, but I, as an umpire, will enforce them to the letter.

If you are an umpire, and you aren't enforcing these rules, then you aren't living up to your responsibilities.

[slider201]

I've even seen umpires rub dirt on a new ball, scrape a new ball on the ground, and beat a new ball against a brick wall.