Sunglasses

[Tksjewelry]

Is there a Fed rule about the pitcher wearing sunglasses?

I know there isn't in MLB or Utrip.

[maven]

Not specifically prohibited by 6-2-1. It falls under the equipment provisions: allowed unless PU judges it to be distracting. For me, they're not distracting unless mirrored. See also 1-5-10

[Tksjewelry]

Thanks @maven this was a real point of contention this weekend.

They don't bother me when I'm PU so I let them also. I was told numerous times this weekend I was wrong for allowing them.

[maven]

I was told numerous times this weekend I was wrong for allowing them.

 

By umpires? You could win some bets there.

[Tksjewelry]

@maven Yup, by high rated HS umps.

[MadMax]

If someone wants to get argumentative about it, I borrow a page out of @Jocko's book, and hit 'em with some odd logic:

 

"So? We're all about safety here in Fed, aren't we? Those are tinted safety glasses! So he doesn't get hit in the eye!"

 

Seriously, what difference does his having sunglasses on make? If there's a pitching change underway, and the kid comin' in from right field has his glasses on as he takes the ball from his coach, and starts warming up, I'm not going to say anything. So too I'm not going to say anything about it if his coach suddenly realizes, and makes him forsake his glasses. The only thing I don't outwardly allow are glasses propped up on the crown/bill of the cap.

 

Now, as @maven said, if they're outlandishly mirrored and causing a glint to be reflected off, that's an entirely different problem, and the glasses have to go.

[blue23ll]

I had a coach challenge me on the sunglasses thing once. I told him they were prescription, you want him to try pitching without them? 

[kylehutson]

I had the same issue at a HS varsity game last week. First batter asked if the pitcher could be wearing sunglasses. I said "only if they're distracting", and these weren't mirrored or anything. I didn't even say anything to the pitcher. The weird part was that he took them off for the 2nd inning, and it was no darker out than when we started.

[Tksjewelry]

I've asked a first baseman once to take them off his hat as I was catching a reflection but that's the only time, so far.

A coach asked my partner to show him the rule about sunglasses. He said "how am I going to show you a rule that doesn't exist?"

[LMSANS]

I've asked a first baseman once to take them off his hat as I was catching a reflection but that's the only time, so far.

A coach asked my partner to show him the rule about sunglasses. He said "how am I going to show you a rule that doesn't exist?"

That's a NJSIAA rule!

[Tksjewelry]

I've asked a first baseman once to take them off his hat as I was catching a reflection but that's the only time, so far.

A coach asked my partner to show him the rule about sunglasses. He said "how am I going to show you a rule that doesn't exist?"

That's a NJSIAA rule!

But I'm in Nebraska 🙋

[LMSANS]

 

 

I've asked a first baseman once to take them off his hat as I was catching a reflection but that's the only time, so far.

A coach asked my partner to show him the rule about sunglasses. He said "how am I going to show you a rule that doesn't exist?"

That's a NJSIAA rule!

 

But I'm in Nebraska

 

Fugetuboutit!

[johnnyg08]

Very common myth with regard to the sunglasses thing.  It is perfectly legal.  I'd have a bit of an issue w/ the mirroring.  But that's it.

 

Unfortunately some umpire stated that the kid had to remove his sunglasses w/ no rule support and created the myth...and his buddies perpetuated it.

[FleasOf1000Camels]

I worked with a partner a couple years ago who told a pitcher he could only wear sunglasses if they were prescription.  It really blew me away, as this guy is a good, knowledgeable and respected member of our local association.  The coach never questioned it.

 

After the game, I asked him where he got that from...he was sure he'd read it somewhere, but couldn't tell me where. 

 

I know he is also a football official, perhaps there's something there about it.

[bighouse]

I worked with a partner a couple years ago who told a pitcher he could only wear sunglasses if they were prescription.  It really blew me away, as this guy is a good, knowledgeable and respected member of our local association.  The coach never questioned it.

 

After the game, I asked him where he got that from...he was sure he'd read it somewhere, but couldn't tell me where. 

 

I know he is also a football official, perhaps there's something there about it.

You definitely cant pitch with sunglasses on during a football game.