Is the use of the Easton Power Pad legal ?

Sorry...i should have been more clear.....

This was a High School varsity game.

The rule I am sure the umpire cited was Rule 1 section 3 Article 2. (condensed)

"There shall be no devices, attachments or wrappings that cause the handle to become flush with the knob. Molded grips are illegal"

Now, I know what a power pad is and it in reality might not make the knob flush with the handle. But it is an attachment, and molded and aids in the grip, and of course, liable to come off. I can see where the umpire could ask you to remove it.

In order to keep it from happening again, remove it before the game....

piaa_ump,

TY for your informative reply.

You have helped me out in the past, and i greatly appreciate it.

Here is the problem I have....

He has used this on his bat in AAU, HS and Legion. This is the first time there has EVER been a hint that he could not use it.

We started using it because he had an issue with the bat knob riding up into his hands.

My larger question with something like this is very simple. Either it is illegal or its not. It is not like this thing just hit the market last week and people are not aware of what it is.

It is extemely unfair to allow a player to get used to this and then have one umpire decide to interpret the rules differently and put the player at a disadvantage just before the start of a game.

I am sure for all those who have ever played the game you can understand how it would affect you if you were told before the game the could not use batting gloves today after you had been using them for years. It does say on the packaging is it approved for "League and Tournament Play". It does not unfortunately state that does not violate any particular rules.


I would appreciate any other input you have on this as well as anything any other people have to offer on this subject.

What is the advantage/disadvantage to using it? I realize it makes choking up easier but are there any other benifits?

Michael,

For my son, and i think for most peopel who use it, it helps to keep the knob from riding up into the hand.

Im sure you have seen the new maple bats that have become very wide spread over the last couple of years with the huge knob on them...Many pro use bats with a non-standard knob.

The most notable off the top of my head is Sammy Sosa.

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=6631

Here is a pic of a used Sosa bat i found online.

The power pad does the same thing that all the tape does, except it is designed to fit on the knob of a regulation bat. It is not aiding the grip on the bat, but assisting in keeping the bat knob from sliding into the palm of the hand.


Here is a pic of another game bat of Sosa's with the tape removed.

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?auction_id=3453


Here is a pic of the Powwer pad on a bat

http://store.softballfans.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=299

Now, I do not have the Federation Rule Book, but are we seriously saying that the tape job that Sosa does is legal and safe, but the the Easton Power Pad is not?

OK, I don't see where it should be a problem. The rule says you can't add something to make the handle flush with the knob. This actually goes the other way, making the knob bigger. There is another device that goes on the bat that is supposed to cut the sting down. I can see someone having a problem with these because it alters the bat to move the knob up the bat. It helps a batter to choke up without having to hold it as well.

Michael.....Thanks for your input....I agree that if he were using 2 or 3 or these things to help him choke up, that he would have to remove all but the one that fits specifically around the knob.

Just curious though, again where i do not have a copy of the Fed rule book, is there any difference in the fed rules in this area from the standard rules (Major League)?

Hera are more examples of MLB game bats...this was just 10 minutes of looking on the net...I think it is obvious that pro players modifiy their bats with customized tape jobs that help them feel like they hold the bat in a way that is comfortable for them.


Gary Sheffield

http://www.digitalfm.com/gameusedbats/itemDetail.cfm?sku=3244

Mark Bellhorn

http://www.digitalfm.com/gameusedbats/itemDetail.cfm?sku=3245

Another Sheffield bat

http://www.digitalfm.com/gameusedbats/itemDetail.cfm?sku=2213

Jay Gibbons

http://www.digitalfm.com/gameusedbats/itemDetail.cfm?sku=3064

Magglio Ordonez
http://www.digitalfm.com/gameusedbats/itemDetail.cfm?sku=3005

Robinson Cano

http://www.digitalfm.com/gameusedbats/itemDetail.cfm?sku=3129

piaa_ump,

I would be interested in your insight on the Sosa bat versus the power pad.

Here is my .02

Professional baseball and NFHS baseball rules have some wide differences. The Professional baseball rules do not have a corresponding rule in regards to this type of alteration.

Because something is legal in pro baseball (or any baseball governed by OBR) definately does not mean that the FED will approve. Therefore I can not compare the Sosa bat with any FED bat rule......(apples and oranges)....

Easton markets the power pad with this description

The Easton Pro Style Power Pad has a patented design to protect the heel of the hand as well as the batting glove. Easton's bat pad is ultra-soft to absorb bat sting, improve grip, fit all aluminum and wood bats, and can be stacked for choking up


Although I may not have a problem with it, I can see, based on the FED rule, where an umpire would ask your son to remove it.

How much does a corked Sosa bat usually go for?

piaa_ump,

Thanks for your insight, I greatly appreciate it.

I also hope you can see how it is quite unfair to a player to not know until the umps check the bats in pregame to find out if today this thing is legal or not.

Honestly, i NEVER EVER thought i would be asking these questions after 4 years of using it at every concievable level of ball.

I do not know for a fact, but i am assuming that there are case interpretations that get published every so often that clarify scenarios like this one.
Or...even specific rules changes....I am sure that there were adaptations to the rules to deal with Aluminum bats and the BESR....

I know in golf, there are rules intrepreations every year that get published. It is one of the reasons that you always see them defer to a rules official even though its their responsibility to know the rules.

Does the fed publish a set of rules intepretations or update the rules on a regular basis if the need arises?

The NFHS is notorious for its rules changes....each year, a mandatory meeting is held for all NFHS umpires in which the individual chapter rules interpreters (Michael S. Taylor and myself are NFHS interpreters) present and explain the new rules, interpretations and points of emphasis for the upcoming season.

The NFHS publishes 3 books each year, the yearly Rule Book, the Rules Case book and an Umpire Manual.

Most of us also consult other outside manuals to round out our knowledge such as the Jaksa/Roder and the yearly edition of Baseball Rules Differences....

Those of us who call multiple codes deal with these issues from game to game....what is legal in the OBR based youth leagues is not legal in NFHS High School games, and then may or may not be legal in NCAA, but may again be legal in pro ball.....

Welcome to our world.

Hope this helps.

OK, I'll just toss this in for what it's worth...

NFHS Rule 1-5 Art. 11: Non-traditional playing equipment must be reviewed by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee before it will be permitted to be used.

nfdad
while i see you are doing your homework about the rule. i would guess it's a fight you can't win with every ump. as you know they change from game to game, good to not so good. your dealing with different personalitys. while your getting great advice here we both know you'll probably not get a great ump ,that will listen in class I. or maybe this guy is good and the legion umps aren't so good. lol. chris would agree with that.you guys are doing well?

Gentlemen,

TY for all your input, it is greatly appreciated.

20Dad,

Look forward to seeing you Wednesday night at Leary.