Ignoring the <acronym title='MLB umpire’s manual '>MLBUM</acronym> at ML Level

[midmoump]

From the MLBUM:

Interpretation of Rule 1.12: Catcher's Mitt

The catcher may not substitute a fielder's glove or a first baseman's mitt for a catcher's mitt during the progress of the game or on any individual play. . .

Why, then, were the Red Sox catchers permitted to use a first baseman's mitt when catching Tim Wakefield?

Pete

[johnnyg08]

Because they started with a first baseman's mitt?

I don't know. Just a guess.

[Rich Ives]

Because the umpires wanted to give the catcher the best chance possible to intercept the ball before it got to the umpire?