Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Pitching rules?????

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Is there a foreign substance rule for fast pitch?

In a heavy rain, I saw a pitcher going to her back pocket between pitches then rubbing her fingers together like she had something on them. Our pitcher had a lot of diificulty as the rain got worse but the opposing pitcher seemed to be fine. It never occured to me that it was done in softball but 3 other people have mentioned this situation.;&

Is there a substance that is used legally or not?

 

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I'll speak to the ASA rule (others might be a little different).

Applying foreign substances to the ball is prohibited. But "approved drying agents" (as the rule puts it) are approved, as is powdered resin. Additionally, if a pitcher licks her fingers, she must wipe them off before touching the ball.

A resin bag must be left on the ground and the "approved drying agent" must be kept in the pitcher's pocket.

As far as I know, the only "approved drying agent", other than powdered resin, is the product known as Gorilla Gold. Maybe that is what the pitcher had in her pocket.

The penalty for violation of this rule is an illegal pitch- the first time it happens. A second offense results in ejection. Of note, this rule doesn't just apply to the pitcher, but to ANY defensive player placing the substance on the ball.

If the pitcher is found to have anything other than the "approved drying agent" in her pocket or possession, it is an automatic ejection.

 

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You never fail to impress me with your prompt, detailed and proffessional responses. Thanx a bunch.

 

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"Is there a substance that is used legally or not?" What about the "or not", is there a illegal substance that is used that coaches should be aware of?

 

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A "foreign substance" could be anything not naturally found on the ball. Dirt, spit, pine tar, hair gel...the list would be endless.

I really have never had to deal with any "creative" ball doctoring in a game. Maybe once have I ever called an illegal pitch for a pitcher licking her fingers and not wiping them off before touching the ball. A couple of more times than that I've had to address a pitcher dumping a handful of dirt on the ball or rubbing the ball in the dirt.

One argument you might hear about a pitcher intentionally placing dirt on the ball is that the ball will just naturally become dirty when used in a game. True, but the distinction is that, by definition, dirt is a foreign substance (new balls do not come out of the package with dirt on them) and that the defensive player is purposely and intentionally placing it on the ball.

The list of foreign substances is endless, and the ball might come into contact with any them through the course of normal game play. There's nothing illegal about that- up until the point where a defensive player intentionally places the substance on the ball.

 

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One argument you might hear about a pitcher intentionally placing dirt on the ball is that the ball will just naturally become dirty when used in a game. True, but the distinction is that, by definition, dirt is a foreign substance (new balls do not come out of the package with dirt on them) and that the defensive player is purposely and intentionally placing it on the ball.

Bretman is correct. The following is nothing more than informational. Who knows.....maybe it will come up some day at your favorite watering hole.

Have you ever noticed that baseballs appear titanium white in color at the sporting goods store but they seem a bit off-color when you're watching a game on TV. The problem is not in your set, rather all MLB baseballs are rubbed down with Lena Blackburne's Rubbing Mud by the umpires. The mud is very smooth and creamy with a very fine grit. It knocks the sheen off of the leather and gives the pitchers and fielders a better grip on the ball. Lena Blackburne's Rubbing Mud is the only mud allowed in Major League Baseball. The mud is retrieved at a tributary in New Jersey along the Delaware river.

Len

 

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Yep - lenski - I saw a show about how and why they do it, and why that is best mud. Very interesting.

 

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Pitchers have rules?