NHIAA Bans Rawlings Gloves From Pitcher's Mounds??

It would be the same as the rule that pitchers gloves have to be of one color. Ran into that at a 9yr old Cal Ripken tourney one time.....
I remember a while back the red sox used some gamesmanship to have Roger Clemens have to change glove because he had a 300 Win patch on his glove....
I guess it would fall under a judgment call thing.

My son when he was on the mound at NN had a black Yennaco infielders glove with a white emblem patch on the back of the glove. He was told by the umpire for him to use it he had to use a sharpy and get rid of the white background. A bit extreme for highschool ball considering the patch was 2"x1".

A more experienced umpire may have not
said much until the opposing Head Coach
mentioned it to him.

The rules are the rules regardless of whether I agree or not with it and in this case I don't. But I agree with poster Bear, typically a seasoned umpire would not mention unless the other coach brings it to his attention. Umpires in NH typically hit players up for the lance armstrong braclets and phiten necklaces, again I don't agree with this rule but the rules are the rules. Good for parents of pitchers and players to know that they will have to black out the white on logos. Wilson A2000s don't have any white on their logos and I personally feel are superior to Rawlings.

Just a point of clarification on this thread. The NHIAA has nothing to do with the "glove" or the "jewelry" rule. Please refer to the NFHA (National Federation of High School Sports) manual. Glove (6.2.1h), Jewelry (1.5.12)

rippem you are an umpire here in NH correct? I feel like we have crossed paths.

I have a tough time calling a rubber band jewelry, man if that was true I would have spent a whole lot less on my wife's engagement ring and wedding band,

What about A2000 gloves do you think these are superior to Rawlings?

heck if rubber bands (livestrong bracelets) were jewelry I would open up a jewelry shop I have a draw full of rings, braclets, necklaces.

No seriously I know it is the rules I am just poking fun. It can not be easy for umpires to enforce a rule like that which has nothing to do with the game, they do it because it is required of them and unfortunately it makes them the bad guys. I just think the kids see it in the majors and they want to do it themselves. Oh well it is what it is.

The "color" aspect on the glove is a no brainer--I have seen it called many times

As for the other "jewelry" much depends on what the opposing coach will ***** about--in most cases his pitchers are doing the same thing---case closed

my experience in NH this is something the umpires address prior to the game, unless league rules are written to allow these items. To be honest the white r on the rawlings logo is a first that I have heard of it being an issue. Typically what I have noticed in my experience is the umpire will wait to hear from the other coach and then enforce the rule. Unless the glove is blatent, such as long dangling leather, multi colored or white, which I think recently worth was making so it did become an issue.

to clarify the jewelry is addressed before the game I changed gears in the past post.

Here is a question for the umpires on the board who do NHIAA games, I had heard from someone over the past 12 months or so who said that the NHIAA was adding a rule that all players on the bench have to wear outgear that has is the team's color. So jonny can't wear a royal blue pull over on the bench if he is playing for bishop guertin is this accurate?

GSBA

As Bear as stated --the more experienced umpires will let things ride until the opposing coach makes a complaint---no need for a ruckus unless there is a complaint

oh i am not doubting that I just know here in NH the jewelry is addressed at the home plate meeting and followed up throughout the game, coaches have no impact on that this is a hot issue in NH. I was just at Bow vs. Hollis-Brookline the other day and Eddie Emond a great guy and great umpire brought it up in the dugouts to the players as he and his partner checked the bats and then at the homeplate meeting as well. This is typical. On the glove agreed completely with you and bear.

What a player can or can not wear is covered in the rules. If he is on the bench who cares. When he is on the field then the rule book applies. The head coach or coaches that go on the field are governed by an NHIAA Policy and Procedure regarding team shirts and jackets. We have become the "fashion police" and you are correct, it has nothing to do with the game. We have to enforce the rules whether we agree with or like them or not.
Added note, if an "experienced" umpire has a tendancy to let things pass until a coach complains, he'd better hope someone from the NHIAA or an evaluator isn't in the stands.

Honestly I thought that the bench wear would be a bit much but I figured I would ask, that would be a nightmare. Don't you think? I think it looks better when the kids are in team colors but enforcing this would be difficult.

Back in the early 70's when I played Pony League in Manchester (it was effectively the Babe Ruth 13 year old League back then) there was a relief pitcher on my team who wore white cleats (Oakland A's wannabe). Every time he came into pitch, he and I would exchange cleats because he wasn't allowed to pitch wearing the white cleats. Talk about dating yourself.

Honestly those oakland a's cleats are pretty cool in my opinion. today the white pumas with the green stripe is sweet.

I have to say that I have no clue as to why the NHIAA has rules that have NO impact on the game at all. Case in point. We have new dugouts at Londonderry (thank you wind-storm) and we are having a 34' fence, 6' high put in across the front of the dugouts, and two 4' sections of fence put on the ends going towards the dugout to enclose it even more. Yet so far this season umpires still insist that the DEAD area between the concrete of the dugout and the 6' fence is off-limits. Really? It makes no sense at all. Nobody is going to rush the field on an exciting play (their main concern) as it is pretty enclosed and yet it is a point that is constantly made. You can only hide behind the rules so much before the realm of common sense comes into play.

Ironwill,
Once again the NHIAA is being confused with the overly safety conscious NFHS. The dugout rule IS NOT NHIAA. The only one you can pin on NHIAA is the coaches jacket rule. REMEMBER, NO SHORT SLEEVE SHELLS.

Who is responsible for the hockey style helmets rule? Its ridiculous, and drives up the cost of becoming a catcher. When given the option in other leagues many catchers go back to the regular skull cap and mask.

I had to change gloves in the 4th inning last year against Hollis I think because I had a Rawlings Pro Preferred 100 anniversary addition which had a gold logo.. They said there was a glare haha good times.. I was so ****ed. I get to worked up on the mound.

Once again the NFHS is the culprit on this in Rule 1.5.3 in Players, Field and Equipment. I hear your concern about the cost but, to be honest, I happen to like this one. The protection that the mask gives the catcher is great. The ball can get to the ear, under the ear, neck, etc. with the mask from any angle off of plate, ground, bat or body. What if the pitcher throws a 55' curve and the catcher inadvertantly turns his head slightly to block. The side of the head is exposed with the conventional mask. Think of a long backswing from a batter or a tossed bat after a hit as a possibility to be hit. Some fields have a very small backstop area where the chain link fencing is only "feet" from the plate area. I can think of four that quickly come to mind (Prouts, Livingston, Derryfield, and Piscataquoug). I am sure there are many others around the state. A foul going directly back can hit a pole squarely and come back very quickly and do some damage to the top or back of a head. I've seen it happen and have been hit myself at Derryfield Park. The hockey style mask provides protection when this happens. It is surprising to see that other leagues (Babe Ruth, Pony, Legion) don't make safety a priority and go along with this.

I understand your point and that maybe they might be safer. You'll never be able to protect from all possible senarios. Sports can be dangerous.

What if a ball hits a rock and takes a funny hope hitting a shortstop in the face? Should shortstops have to wear hockey gear?

MCARAVELLA......That glare produced from the shiney label is very distracting at the plate. I know the Hollis field and in the afternoon the sun is in a spot that shines directly on the front of the pitcher and his glove. The same is true in Merrimack and Keyes and most other fields that have the mound facing west or southwest. If the sun goes behind the trees and creates shade then it isn't as much of an issue.
Trust me, the umpires don't like doing this but a rule is a rule and it's safety related. If the glove is distracting (judgement) or has ANY white or grey on it then it is illegal (rule). We are told every preseason, if you are going to err, make it on the side of safety. I wish more coaches or suppliers would be aware of this and maybe consult with prospective pitchers (or vis versa) about what is or isn't a legal glove on the mound. What realy is unfortunate, however, is that this NFHS rule is different from pro rule. Maybe they should come together.

rippem,

Just wondering why the half shell coaching jackets are not allowed during games?

ABC1234....your questin is better posed to the NHIAA baseball committee. They are driving the bus on this. It's been out there for a few years now and the coaches/ad's should be used to it by now. They continue, however, to resist and push the envelope. The coach will be restricted to the bench if he can't/won't comply with this.
The reasoning I would think is to create consistancy with resprect to coaches on field attire. If you allow variations then here is no limit or direction it might lead to. The jacket must me long sleeve, team colors, all must be the same and have their game shirts underneath.
I hope this helps.

Idk if this has been said but is a phiten necklace legal to wear?

No it is not allowed. You said the magic word NECKLACE. A necklace is considered jewelry. I have a question for you, are you allowed to wear jewelry in practice???

ya i am..

Are Wrist Bands considered jewlery too?

MCARAVELLA..........so here we have a team that allows jewelry in practice and is just another thing that makes our job a little harder. Can it be that the coach doesn't know the rule or just doesn't give a ****. You wonder why people are confused on this. Does he also allow take out slides at second or malicious crashing at the plate??
SMAN.............wristbands are ok. Hence, the appearance of a double standard. The issue I believe (and only my opoinion) is that the wristband is more purposeful and sports/baseball relative than the phitten necklace or armstrong bracelets which may be more "decorative" or lean towards non sports causes than the wristband.

Well if the argument againts the "necklace" is that it can get caught on something and snag wouldn't a tear away phiten with a snap clasp be safer than a wrist band that doesn't wouldn't release upon tension? I know its just a rule you have to enforce but its ridiculous.

SMAN.... the officials don't have the priviledge of picking and choosing which rules thay want to enforce each day. It is what it is.
I hear your concern about the phitten but I also must add that when it tears away from the neck, can it get someone in the eye? Unlike the wristband which will not tear away, the other stuff is more decorative and not pertinent to the game.

Hey SMAN.............I forgot about your comment on the shortstop wearing hockey gear. I have seen a few infields around where that might not be a bad idea. I hear the infield at MMHS and Livingston ought to be condemmed.
How about face masks on helmets when batting. I've seen it this year already at the varsity level and in the past two years I have see two varsity batters take one in the face (1 on the mouth and 1 on the nose) comming off the bat.

sorry i wasnt trying to bad mouth any one or argue.. I was just wondering.. thanks tho for answer my question

MCARAVELLA..............not argument here as well. It just doesn't make good sense when coaches allow their team to wear illegal safety related ornaments in practice when you aren't allowed to use them in the game. If someone gets hurt in practice he, the AD and the school could very likely get sued.
OBTW, the NFHS penalty for jewelry is as follows: a team warning and then ejection on the next one.
Thanks for your discussion. I hope to see you on the field this season and meet you.

Whats with that old ump with the Santa Claus beard I think his name is Chet? Might be time to retire this guy from Class L action.

In the Souhegan/Oyster River game today, the umpire made an OR reliever take off his undershirt because it had a white collar. Apparently there is a new rule (unless this guy was off base which clearly could be the case) where your pitcher cannot have any undershirt with white on it. Foolish. There are plenty of teams with white uni tops, what difference does the color of the undershirt collar make? Just another way for some of the more egotistical umps to influence a game. I might agree with a sleeve...but a collar? Dumb. Not to mention it was cold and all the kid had to wear was his mesh uni top.