Pitching and Pitchers Discussion Towels for pitchers

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I saw in the Oklahoma / Texas game that the pitcher for Oklahoma had a towel hanging from her back pocket. She used it regularly to wipe her hands as well her face. It was not raining but it was very hot and humid during the game. Does anyone know if this is allowed now? Or has this always been allowed? Is there restrictions to the size or the towel? Was told by an umpire a few years back that DD could have a towel to wipe her hands while in the circle. Could some please post any rules that are known and are towels allowed in high school?

 

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Don't know the rule, but my dd pitched two innings in literal downpour. They did allow her to hang a towel in her pocket as there was no dry part of her uniform to dry her hand (not like either stayed dry very long) and they were replacing the ball almost every pitch.

 

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My DD uses her borther's football handwarmer wrapped around her waist with the actual warmer part on her back. It is the same color as her uniform and no umpire has said anything yet. It works great for keeping the pitching hand warm or for wiping the ball or her hand off in the rain.

 

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Don't see a problem as long as the towel was kept in the back pocket and wasn't waving like a flag.

If I were the opposing coach, I would ask the umpire to "inspect" the towel to make sure it wasn't the Gaylord Perry model, but other than that it makes sense.

In terms of additional equipment for this spring, I will be selling umbrella pop-up hats for pitchers on my web site starting tomorrow. I have them in most team colors.

 

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Gaylord Perry - now there's a name I haven't heard in a long time. Nice reference!

 

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Honestly, I don't know the rule but we've always checked with the umpires before a game and asked them if a pitcher could have a towel. We've never been told no. The back is where the girls have kept it so not to be in the way while pitching. We've even had it on the ground behind the pitching plate. I've never seen an umpire tell anyone to remove it and no opposing team has ever said anything. We've even offered to leave it in the circle for their pitchers but normally they have their own.

 

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There's no mention of towels in the rule book, no mention in the case book and I don't recall ever seeing any supplemental interpretations issued on this.

That makes this a point not covered by the rules and that leaves it to the discretion of the umpires in that game. I imagine that most would allow it- unless it's, like, huge, optic green and blowing around like a flag!

 

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Gaylord Perry - now there's a name I haven't heard in a long time. Nice reference!

Who is she?
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.:lmao:

 

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DD tucked a small towel in the back of her pants/shorts last summer because of the heat and humidity. The batter couldn't see it but from my video taping from CF, if flopped around and she looked like a white tailed deer. A very slow and mean white-tailed deer. :lmao:

 

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The difference is... if a pitcher is using a rosin bag.... that pitcher MUST leave the rosin bag for the opposing pitcher to use as well.

As for the towel.. as long as it is not a distraction to the batter... it is allowed.

 

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The difference is... if a pitcher is using a rosin bag.... that pitcher MUST leave the rosin bag for the opposing pitcher to use as well.

Quake, that is actually a myth. The rules do say that a resin bag must be left on the ground, but that only means while that pitcher is pitching. When she leaves the field, she may take it with her. It's up to the other team to supply their own equipment and nothing forces the pitcher to share her's with the other team.

 

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The difference is... if a pitcher is using a rosin bag.... that pitcher MUST leave the rosin bag for the opposing pitcher to use as well.

As for the towel.. as long as it is not a distraction to the batter... it is allowed.

Don't think a pitcher has to leave her rosin for the opposition.

 

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Gaylord Perry gives me pause to think.....

How could a softball pitcher gain an advantage by doctoring a ball with a foreign substance?

(Cutting the ball is too obvious - an umpire would probably remove a cut ball).

 

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Good stuff and thank you for the info.

DD puts hands warmers in the back pocket and puts her hand in her back pocket between pitches.

Other day it was raining, she was putting her hand in her shirt between pitches. Umpires did question that but determined it was ok to do.

 

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When on the mound in the rainy season our pitchers, and hitters sometimes, use Gorilla Gold. It also works great in colder weather. It is the only "pine tar" type substance approved by ASA for use in games. Not all pitchers like it. It takes some time for them to find out how much to use - but when they figure it out they don't go to games without it.

 

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When on the mound in the rainy season our pitchers, and hitters sometimes, use Gorilla Gold. It also works great in colder weather. It is the only "pine tar" type substance approved by ASA for use in games. Not all pitchers like it. It takes some time for them to find out how much to use - but when they figure it out they don't go to games without it.

My DD has just started to use the Gorilla Gold and seems to like it. Definitely helped when it was cool/cold out. Helped a lot with her grip.

 

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DD college team use tack rags all year never seen any issue.

 

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Cat Osterman had a towel in the waist of her pants, a lot.

 

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Quake, that is actually a myth. The rules do say that a resin bag must be left on the ground, but that only means while that pitcher is pitching. When she leaves the field, she may take it with her. It's up to the other team to supply their own equipment and nothing forces the pitcher to share her's with the other team.

In USSSA, she leaves it on the mound. Comes under Rule 10 and the umpire's right to make "fairness" in the game. Not a written rule in the books ... but it leaves open the option under Rule 10

 

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That's a real stretch.

If one team has really nice bats, do you make them share in the name of "fairness"?

(BTW...Rule 10 in the USSSA rule book is the chapter on "Appeals")