Off-Season Mini Clinic ESO Baseball Rules Off-Season Mini Clinic With Rick Roder c Friday, November 24, 2006 Presentation includes narration; please turn up your volume.

Welcome! Posted every other week, “Online Training.” Questions submitted by umpires. Your gut reaction: make a call. Use PAUSE button to read options. Rules, sources, mechanics, helpful hints. Rule differences (pro, NFHS, NCAA) will be noted. Bonus: Monthly quiz posted last Friday of month. * Presentation includes narration; please turn up your volume.

November 24, 2006, Pro Rules: Tyler writes, “A pitcher came out to the mound to start the game. I probably would not have noticed his glove other than it had really long laces dangling from it. Then I noticed the glove was blue and gold, matching his team colors. No one said anything but I told him after the half inning was over that he had to trim the laces because they were bothering me. Are the colors of the glove legal? Was I correct in having the laces trimmed?

Your gut instinct: (remember, pro rules) He was not right to have the laces trimmed unless the opposing team complained. The colors are legal. He was correct overall; if the laces distract him, the umpire is within his rights to have them trimmed or replaced. The glove colors are legal. Trimming the laces is OK but the glove must be brown or black. Only address the laces if the opposing team objects; glove must be brown or black.

Correct answer under pro rules: He was not right to have the laces trimmed unless the opposing team complained. The colors are legal. He was correct overall; if the laces distract him, the umpire is within his rights to have them trimmed or replaced. The glove colors are legal. Trimming the laces is OK but the glove must be brown or black. Only address the laces if the opposing team objects; glove must be brown or black.

All Codes: Pitcher’s glove cannot be white or gray Official Rule 1.15: A 2005 change allows the pitcher to wear a multi-colored fielding glove as long as the plate umpire does not rule that it is distracting to the batter. NCAA 1-13c: Glove must be uniform in color (glove in Tyler’s game was illegal). NFHS 1-3-6 and 6-2-1h: The only illegal colors are white and gray. All Codes: Pitcher’s glove cannot be white or gray (NFHS more strict; no white numbers, letters, etc.)

Advice: As a general rule, allow players and/or coaches to complain about a glove before deciding it is distracting. You CAN act on your own or concur with the opinion of a partner Regardless, be aware of person of pitcher; glove, jewelry, habits, etc.

Thank you for participating! Monthly Quiz: November 30 Next ESO Mini Clinic: December 8 Please email rule questions to rroder@eofficials.com