Pitcher wearing eye black

[hill2933]

Freshman game this weekend. VT brings F6 in to pitch and he has eye black on. Nothing excessive, just a stripe under each eye. HT coach comes to me and asks if he is allowed to wear it. I told that if I did not feel it was distracting it was ok. First batter walks and I did not see anything distracting about it. Next thing I know my partner has called tiime and pulled a towel from his pocket and is at the mound wiping the eyeblack from F1's face. F2 even commoneted that it looked like his mother was calling the game today.

 

So two issues for me. #1 am i missing something in the rules about thi? I see where he can't wear anything on arms, wrists or hands that may be distracting. Also white or gray on glove or undershirt. But don't see anything about wearing black or anything on his face.

 

Then how would you address VT coach going to your partner after you already addressed the question?

 

I am not even going to try to address the partner wiping F1's face!

[Jocko]

Legal. All codes. Also notable: so are non-prescription sunglasses.

[JaxRolo]

Legal. At least in fed it can not be smeared down the face. Just the line under they eyes.

[VAUmp]

Are you sure about the smearing part Jax?  I know that is the rule in football, but I couldn't find it in the baseball rulebook.  Can you cite?

[maven]

FED has been thinking about addressing eye black, but AFAIK has not done so to date.

You could rule smeared stuff "distracting," but you'd be way out on the limb to do so. I'd leave it.

[JaxRolo]

I'll research it. Maybe it's a FHSAA thing. I remember a couple years ago them telling us not to allow it. (Nobody enforces it)but it is strictly enforced during states,

[JaxRolo]

Here is an old thread that talks about it

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/31829-great-play-from-this-weekend-made-sportscenter-top-10/

[blue23ll]

Legal. All codes. Also notable: so are non-prescription sunglasses.

 

I had a short "discussion" with a coach about sunglasses. He insisted it was illegal, he was young and inexperienced. I suggested he find a rule that  prohibited sunglasses. Funny thing was, these were prescription sunglasses. I asked the coach, would he feel better if the pitcher couldn't see?

 

As far as eye black, the definition of an optimist is a player who wears eye black in Washington during a rain storm.

[Thunderheads]

NON-perscription is legal, however, .... try and let a pitcher pitch w/ sunglasses.  Typically, the opposing coach makes a scene and says it's distracting to his players.

 

appease him, or fight it?

 

??

[noumpere]

If they aren't mirrored / reflective, let him wear them

[Replacematt]

NON-perscription is legal, however, .... try and let a pitcher pitch w/ sunglasses.  Typically, the opposing coach makes a scene and says it's distracting to his players.

 

appease him, or fight it?

 

??

 

I remind him that he was throwing BP with sunglasses. 

[UmpJM]

Coach,

 

If your player is distracted by the pitcher's sunglasses, he's never going to get a hit anyway...

 

JM

[JaxRolo]

NON-perscription is legal, however, .... try and let a pitcher pitch w/ sunglasses.  Typically, the opposing coach makes a scene and says it's distracting to his players.

 

appease him, or fight it?

 

??

Hijack!!!!  

[Thunderheads]

 

NON-perscription is legal, however, .... try and let a pitcher pitch w/ sunglasses.  Typically, the opposing coach makes a scene and says it's distracting to his players.

 

appease him, or fight it?

 

??

Hijack!!!!  

 

possibly....but...... OP was answered

[JaxRolo]

 

 

NON-perscription is legal, however, .... try and let a pitcher pitch w/ sunglasses.  Typically, the opposing coach makes a scene and says it's distracting to his players.

 

appease him, or fight it?

 

??

Hijack!!!!  

 

possibly....but...... OP was answered

 

I'm tired of people hijacking threads.

 

Something I would never ever do!!     

[Stan W.]

I'll research it. Maybe it's a FHSAA thing. I remember a couple years ago them telling us not to allow it. (Nobody enforces it)but it is strictly enforced during states,

 

Its also PIAA thing........single line under the eyes ok............trying to look like the ultimate warrior is not...........

[BT_Blue]

NON-perscription is legal, however, .... try and let a pitcher pitch w/ sunglasses.  Typically, the opposing coach makes a scene and says it's distracting to his players.

 

appease him, or fight it?

 

??

Hijack!!!!  

possibly....but...... OP was answered

I'm tired of people hijacking threads.

 

Something I would never ever do!!     

so would this qualify as a hijack of a hijack?

[Pete Peterson Sr]

NON-perscription is legal, however, .... try and let a pitcher pitch w/ sunglasses.  Typically, the opposing coach makes a scene and says it's distracting to his players.

 

appease him, or fight it?

 

??

 

Chuckle, and then say "Oh...you were serious?"

[Lala]

That must have been why Clu Haywood and Jack Parkman couldn't touch Ricky Vaughn's ole number 1... They were distracted by the glasses!

[Mr Ump]

That must have been why Clu Haywood and Jack Parkman couldn't touch Ricky Vaughn's ole number 1... They were distracted by the glasses!

Ha Ha..great post....

[johnnyg08]

fight it?

I judge what is and isn't distracting.