Pitcher rubbing dirt on ball

[aformrduner]

Help please, (team div. is 14U/asa)
The pitcher must, (only ball in umpires bag), use a new ball that has a very glossy or slippery sheen to it.
Between batters, she takes the ball, steps out of the circle, picks up some dirt and rubs the ball with it.
Legal or not?
(can you provide rule # if listed)

Thanks for your help.

[anonlooker]

So dirt is a foreign substance? On a softball field?

[MTR]

Help please, (team div. is 14U/asa)
The pitcher must, (only ball in umpires bag), use a new ball that has a very glossy or slippery sheen to it.
Between batters, she takes the ball, steps out of the circle, picks up some dirt and rubs the ball with it.
Legal or not?
(can you provide rule # if listed)

Thanks for your help.

While ASA believes this is applying a foreign substance, I believe umpires should use
common sense and descretion in enforcing this rule. It is better than grinding the ball into the ground or intentionally throwing the ball in the dirt to scuff up the coat during warm ups. As long as the player is not trying to damage the ball, I'm not going to worry about it.

However, to avoid the chance that an umpire will rule as foreign substance, return the ball to the umpire and ask him/her to rub it down.

[Comp]

http://pub30.bravenet.com/forum/static/ ... 8&cmd=show

Post by Emily Alexander on Cactus Umpires about rubbing dirt on the ball.

[aformrduner]

Me too, however I've seen it twice now and they act like Gaylord Perry is on the mound with a jar of vasoline in pocket. I can't believe that dry dirt would be considered foreign substance.
Thanks for the info.

Help please, (team div. is 14U/asa)
The pitcher must, (only ball in umpires bag), use a new ball that has a very glossy or slippery sheen to it.
Between batters, she takes the ball, steps out of the circle, picks up some dirt and rubs the ball with it.
Legal or not?
(can you provide rule # if listed)

Thanks for your help.

While ASA believes this is applying a foreign substance, I believe umpires should use
common sense and descretion in enforcing this rule. It is better than grinding the ball into the ground or intentionally throwing the ball in the dirt to scuff up the coat during warm ups. As long as the player is not trying to damage the ball, I'm not going to worry about it.

However, to avoid the chance that an umpire will rule as foreign substance, return the ball to the umpire and ask him/her to rub it down.

[Sftbll4ever]

We have had many blues rub dirt on the ball for us. If not, there has also been times I have seen the catcher ROLL the ball back to the pitcher during warmup.

[Bretman]

So dirt is a foreign substance? On a softball field?

Well, not if you're playing ball in the US of A and using good old fashioned American dirt!

But seriously, you're missing the intent and nuance of the written rule...

The rule addresses a substance "foreign to the ball", not "foreign to the playing field". Is dirt (or, for that matter, grass, sweat, pine tar, chalk, vaseline or spit) normally found on new balls right out of the package? No. These substances are not normally present on fresh game balls, thus they are "foreign to the ball".

More importantly, the rule specifically addresses substances being purposely placed on the ball by a defensive player. Yeah, sure dirt gets on the ball during the course of normal game play. But that isn't illegal until the point that it is being purposely placed there by a defensive player.

[etx bd]

Have her toss the ball to the coach and he can rub dirt on it, dust it off and toss it back. No foul. Coach is not a defensive player. I've been doing it for years during warm up.

[Jalamander]

So dirt is a foreign substance? On a softball field?

Fill in the blank.
So ____ is a foreign substance? On a softball field?
gum
mud
spit
eye black
sweat
make up
Got any others?

[GIMNEPIWO]

So dirt is a foreign substance? On a softball field?

Fill in the blank.
So ____ is a foreign substance? On a softball field?
gum
mud
spit
eye black
sweat
make up
Got any others?

seeds
hockers
blood
flatulence
rosin