What can pitchers wear on arms?

[sadler850]

What MLB rule specifically addresses what the pitcher can and cannot wear while pitching? The question of armbands, compression sleeves, batting gloves, and rubber bracelets on the pitcher came up today and I cannot find anything in the MLB rule book that prohibits it.

I am familiar with NFHS /FED rules that state a pitcher may not wear anything on the arms that is distracting, but many of the leagues we officiate for use MLB rules.

Thanks in advance!

[Larry in TN]

1.11
(a) (1) All players on a team shall wear uniforms identical in color, trim and style, and all players uniforms shall include minimal sixinch numbers on their backs. (2) Any part of an undershirt exposed to view shall be of a uniform solid color for all players on a team. Any player other than the pitcher may have numbers, letters, insignia attached to the sleeve of the undershirt. (3) No player whose uniform does not conform to that of his teammates shall be permitted to participate in a game.
(b) A league may provide that (1) each team shall wear a distinctive uniform at all times, or (2) that each team shall have two sets of uniforms, white for home games and a different color for road games.
© (1) Sleeve lengths may vary for individual players, but the sleeves of each individual player shall be approximately the same length. (2) No player shall wear ragged, frayed or slit sleeves.
(d) No player shall attach to his uniform tape or other material of a different color from his uniform.
(e) No part of the uniform shall include a pattern that imitates or suggests the shape of a baseball.
(f) Glass buttons and polished metal shall not be used on a uniform.
(g) No player shall attach anything to the heel or toe of his shoe other than the ordinary shoe plate or toe plate. Shoes with pointed spikes similar to golf or track shoes shall not be worn.
(h) No part of the uniform shall include patches or designs relating to commercial advertisements.
(i) A league may provide that the uniforms of its member teams include the names of its players on their backs. Any name other than the last name of the player must be approved by the League President. If adopted, all uniforms for a team must have the names of its players. 

 

1.15

(a) The pitchers glove may not, exclusive of piping, be white, gray, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any manner.
(b) No pitcher shall attach to his glove any foreign material of a color different from the glove.
© The umpire-in-chief shall cause a glove that violates Rules 1.15(a) or 1.15(b) to be removed from the game, either on his own initiative, at the recommendation of another umpire or upon complaint of the opposing manager that the umpire-in-chief agrees has merit.

[maven]

Since it's a safety issue, I would rule the same for leagues using modified OBR. But 1.15 also prohibits anything the umpire judges to be distracting.

[Jimurray]

8.02(b) added a comment this year. Nothing on either hand, wrist or fingers. That would eliminate batting gloves and bracelets.

[MooseLoop]

8.02(b) added a comment this year. Nothing on either hand, wrist or fingers. That would eliminate batting gloves and bracelets.

 

Is there any authoritative interpretation of this new comment yet? I can't find any.

 

The OBR foreword says a comment "interprets or elaborates on the basic rules and in essence have the same effect as rules when applied to particular sections for which they are intended." [emphsis mine.]

 

OBR 8.02(b) is the rule that prohibits a pitcher from possessing a "foreign substance", with a penalty of ejection and suspension.

 

The comment says "The pitcher may not attach anything to either hand, any finger or either wrist (e.g., Band-Aid, tape, Super Glue, bracelet, etc.). The umpire shall determine if such attachment is indeed a foreign substance for the purpose of Rule 8.02(b), but in no case may the pitcher be allowed to pitch with such attachment to his hand, finger or wrist." [emphasis mine.]

 

If a pitcher wants to wear a bandaid or a batter's glove under his fielding glove, should I prohibit it, even if it does not enable the pitcher to alter the ball to his advantage?  If anyone complains, I guess so.  Otherwise, I would consider a below-the-wrist "attachment" that creates no advantage a booger I'm not picking. I hope someone clarifies this new comment soon.