QB Wrisbands

quote:

Originally posted by IEBSBL:
Wristbands for call has become the rage and even I use them for offense now. We had a game the other day the the team we played used them during defense and the pitcher even wore one on his arm. It was all black, which matched clothing, and had a cover on it that was black on the outside. Even with all of that isn't it illegal for the pitcher to have it on?

No, unless it can touch the ball while it is in the pitching hand.

NFHS Rule 1-5-12 Jewelry shall not be worn (See3-3-1d) except for religious or medical medals. A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical alert must be taped and may be visable.
So NO wristbands, any color, may be worn for any purpose.

quote:

Originally posted by POLOGREEN:
NFHS Rule 1-5-12 Jewelry shall not be worn (See3-3-1d) except for religious or medical medals. A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical alert must be taped and may be visable.
So NO wristbands, any color, may be worn for any purpose.

A wristband of this type is not jewelry.

Not allowed.

I'm curious about the wristbands as well because I thought they were illegal as well for pitchers but if you're going to commit to them for defense then it makes sense for pitchers to have them.

On the jewelry note - we're being told in NC that umpires are to consider sunglasses on top of the hat as "jewelry" and not allow it. To me this doesn't make sense because you have those days where the sun is out and then it's not. You're either going to force delays in the game while OF go get shades or force them to try and make plays with the sun in their eyes. The rationale we're hearing is it's consider jewelry because they are doing it for fashion and not function. I can see where some players would do it for that but it's really not going to harm anything or stick out as a distraction if it's allowed PLUS it allows the player the freedom to make the decision to wear them or not based on the condition of the sun.

quote:

We had a game the other day the the team we played used them during defense and the pitcher even wore one on his arm. It was all black, which matched clothing, and had a cover on it that was black on the outside.

If you would have said to the UIC that wristband is distracting ...he would have told the pitcher to remove it. I'll stick with .... I would ask all players to remove them.

Back in the dark ages I had my catcher give signals to the infielders in certain situations. If I only knew.

we really need these wristbands in baseball?

quote:

Originally posted by POLOGREEN:

quote:

We had a game the other day the the team we played used them during defense and the pitcher even wore one on his arm. It was all black, which matched clothing, and had a cover on it that was black on the outside.

If you would have said to the UIC that wristband is distracting ...he would have told the pitcher to remove it. I'll stick with .... I would ask all players to remove them.

You are picking boogers. Wristbands are not jewelry. Bracelets, necklaces, rings, etc. are jewelry. A wristband is a piece of cloth. Why do you think wristbands are allowed in FED basketball?

There is no rules support to make players take wristbands off.

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:
On the jewelry note - we're being told in NC that umpires are to consider sunglasses on top of the hat as "jewelry" and not allow it. To me this doesn't make sense because you have those days where the sun is out and then it's not. You're either going to force delays in the game while OF go get shades or force them to try and make plays with the sun in their eyes. The rationale we're hearing is it's consider jewelry because they are doing it for fashion and not function.

Assuming this is coming from NC's rules interpreter, remind him of the intent of the rule--it's safety, not fashion.

quote:

Originally posted by POLOGREEN:

quote:

We had a game the other day the the team we played used them during defense and the pitcher even wore one on his arm. It was all black, which matched clothing, and had a cover on it that was black on the outside.

If you would have said to the UIC that wristband is distracting ...he would have told the pitcher to remove it. I'll stick with .... I would ask all players to remove them.

No, he wouldn't have. Black is not distracting. Hence why black gloves are allowed.

This falls in the same category of it's illegal for pitchers to wear 1 "shooter sleeve" (the compression sleeves that Allen Iverson made famous. Pitchers aren't allowed to only have one sleeve on because it's "distracting".

quote:

Originally posted by Catching101:
This falls in the same category of it's illegal for pitchers to wear 1 "shooter sleeve" (the compression sleeves that Allen Iverson made famous. Pitchers aren't allowed to only have one sleeve on because it's "distracting".

No, that's incorrect.

The reason any player (not just pitchers) cannot wear a singular sleeve is because 1-4-2 states that sleeves shall be approximately the same length.

The only additional proscription for pitchers is that exposed undersleeves cannot be white or gray, and per case play, uniform sleeves that are white or gray cannot extend below the elbow.

Wristbands are not sleeves, nor are they jewelry. It's that simple, guys. You're not going to find a rule against them because it's not there.

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
we really need these wristbands in baseball?

My thoughts exactly. How many flippin' plays can you have in baseball?

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
we really need these wristbands in baseball?

My thoughts exactly. How many flippin' plays can you have in baseball?

I had the dish for a D3 game last week. Catcher had one of these--there had to literally be 200 individual cells on it. I really, really, wanted to know how he kept everything straight.

I might just ask the next time I see his coach--he happened to be mine, as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt13:

Wristbands are not sleeves, nor are they jewelry. It's that simple, guys. You're not going to find a rule against them because it's not there.

Then what's the difference between a silicone wristband and a cotton wristband? Why is one jewelry and the other isn't? I think I've seen umpires make pitchers take off about 100 of the silicone wristbands over the past few seasons!

quote:

Originally posted by Catching101:

quote:

Originally posted by Matt13:

Wristbands are not sleeves, nor are they jewelry. It's that simple, guys. You're not going to find a rule against them because it's not there.

Then what's the difference between a silicone wristband and a cotton wristband? Why is one jewelry and the other isn't? I think I've seen umpires make pitchers take off about 100 of the silicone wristbands over the past few seasons!

A)Silicone wristbands are considered jewelry by decree because B) they pose a safety hazard and have no functional purpose.

Cotton wristbands are not a safety hazard and have a functional purpose. That's why players have been wearing them for years.

Wow I didn't know this was going to start a fight. TR you question was, "Do we really need wristbands?" Here is my answer....1) We have used wristband for hitting and pitch calling for 3 years and have never been picked one time 2) In three years we never have missed a sign. 3) I have never posed myself to be the smartest guy in the world but if big time colleges use them then why should we not. 4)It is no difference that giving signs. I mean heck why have signs at all. Lets just yell out "Hit & Run".

quote:

Originally posted by Matt13:

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:
On the jewelry note - we're being told in NC that umpires are to consider sunglasses on top of the hat as "jewelry" and not allow it. To me this doesn't make sense because you have those days where the sun is out and then it's not. You're either going to force delays in the game while OF go get shades or force them to try and make plays with the sun in their eyes. The rationale we're hearing is it's consider jewelry because they are doing it for fashion and not function.

Assuming this is coming from NC's rules interpreter, remind him of the intent of the rule--it's safety, not fashion.

Thanks Matt - so are you saying because it's for safety then it's ok not to have them on top of the hat? I can agree that banning something due to safety is appropriate but in this case I just can't see how this is a safety issue. Players have been using shades on their hat for years for just in case situations like this.

I know I'm making a mountain of a molehill and I'm sorry for that but I just really don't see why this is a some sort of point of emphasis.

As for the wrist band idea and whether it's needed or not let's not forget that the forward pass in football was considered a crazy concept when it first came in. Or the one hand over the head free throw instead of the granny shot from between the legs. I'm not saying the wrist bands are going to revolutionize the game like these two ideas did football and basketball but the games change and evolve over time.

Do wrist bands need to be used? Of course not but it can make things easier / simpler. That's progress and if someone doesn't want to change then that is their prerogative. I don't have a problem with either one.

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:
Thanks Matt - so are you saying because it's for safety then it's ok not to have them on top of the hat? I can agree that banning something due to safety is appropriate but in this case I just can't see how this is a safety issue. Players have been using shades on their hat for years for just in case situations like this.

I'm in total agreement with you.

The rule exists for safety, and I see no safety issues in having sunglasses on top of a hat.

You guys shouldn't be complaining...

I was at a softball game that should've take 45 minutes but was delayed for at least that much again for "jewlry" issues.

He had a face piercing which couldn't be removed (first inning sub for the catcher/4 hole hitter), we had another piercing I didn't quite figure out (ear, nose, left pinky?) that couldn't be removed in time (another first inning sub). Another girl had an earing she received a few days before and couldn't get out (another first inning sub). We only have 14 players so every played that day.

Now they cover up the face stuff with band aids so blue can't tell. In pregame warm ups, all visible piercings are either removed or the starting lineup is adjusted.

I've seen some bad stuff (see other thread) but never had an earing cause more damage than a hard spike with metal cleats.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
My thoughts exactly. How many flippin' plays can you have in baseball?

Well, the ones I've seen on catchers have the same sign in different cells. So, F3 and G2 could be fastball. If the coach keeps track of the ones he's used, he'll probably never have to use the same cell twice.

quote:

Originally posted by JMoff:
You guys shouldn't be complaining...

I was at a softball game that should've take 45 minutes but was delayed for at least that much again for "jewlry" issues.

He had a face piercing which couldn't be removed (first inning sub for the catcher/4 hole hitter), we had another piercing I didn't quite figure out (ear, nose, left pinky?) that couldn't be removed in time (another first inning sub). Another girl had an earing she received a few days before and couldn't get out (another first inning sub). We only have 14 players so every played that day.

Now they cover up the face stuff with band aids so blue can't tell. In pregame warm ups, all visible piercings are either removed or the starting lineup is adjusted.

I've seen some bad stuff (see other thread) but never had an earing cause more damage than a hard spike with metal cleats.

You would really hate to have me as an umpire because I am a stickler for no jewelry. If it can't come out then you don't play, end of discussion. Band aids don't address the possible safety issues and should never be suggested by a coach. If a player is stupid enough to get a piercing in the middle of the season, tough. If it requires a tool to remove, carry the tool. Umpires can tell at a glance earings with band aides over them. I have told captains in varsity games they come out or they sit. Amazingly they find a way to get them out. Fresh piercings, take it out or sit, I don't care. This I will not budge on at all.
The QB wristbands seem stupid. In football you have many plays with many variables. Baseball not so much.

The wrist bands make it possible to have many number combinations for the same plays. You never have to call the same number twice. If used correctly it makes it impossible to steal signs.

Correction;
I asked our State Interpreter, he answered like this; allow all players except the pitcher if it is distracting.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:

quote:

Originally posted by JMoff:
You guys shouldn't be complaining...

I was at a softball game that should've take 45 minutes but was delayed for at least that much again for "jewlry" issues.

He had a face piercing which couldn't be removed (first inning sub for the catcher/4 hole hitter), we had another piercing I didn't quite figure out (ear, nose, left pinky?) that couldn't be removed in time (another first inning sub). Another girl had an earing she received a few days before and couldn't get out (another first inning sub). We only have 14 players so every played that day.

Now they cover up the face stuff with band aids so blue can't tell. In pregame warm ups, all visible piercings are either removed or the starting lineup is adjusted.

I've seen some bad stuff (see other thread) but never had an earing cause more damage than a hard spike with metal cleats.

You would really hate to have me as an umpire because I am a stickler for no jewelry. If it can't come out then you don't play, end of discussion. Band aids don't address the possible safety issues and should never be suggested by a coach. If a player is stupid enough to get a piercing in the middle of the season, tough. If it requires a tool to remove, carry the tool. Umpires can tell at a glance earings with band aides over them. I have told captains in varsity games they come out or they sit. Amazingly they find a way to get them out. Fresh piercings, take it out or sit, I don't care. This I will not budge on at all.
The QB wristbands seem stupid. In football you have many plays with many variables. Baseball not so much.

Part of my frustration is these girls showing up with this stuff on in the first place. The game in question happend the day after they were all warned. How stupid can you be? I do question the timing of the enforcement and delaying the game for a few minutes for each girl to try and remove it. Tell them in the meeting and if they walk up to bat with it on, toss them and the manager out so the rest of us can get home for dinner. Chances are they won't wear it again after sitting out.

I don't like the absoluteness of the rule, but of course I realize as soon as you allow girls to wear simple earings, you'd have to let boys wear nose rings with chains attached to their ******s so everything has to be illegal.

As far as the QB thing, if a coach thinks the other team has contracted with NSA to steal their his signs, he's probably a little paranoid. An indicator and sign work. If you think they stole your signs, change them.

If you have too many plays to use an indicator and sign, you have too many plays. Coaches routinely out smart themselves AND their own players.

In most softball systems you warn the first and toss the rest. In some softball systems you can warn at the plate meeting and just toss the first offender. I don't like that idea.

I have tried to nicely say QB wristbands aren't necessary. If you want to put them on a catcher and SS, maybe OK but they still need to tell the rest of the infield. If the pitcher wears one it needs to be on his glove hand. Hitters wearing them make absolutely no sense. What are your choices, hit,take, bunt, fake bunt. Four choices that come to mind. Maybe a couple more with runners but a wristband to keep them straight, really?
Jewelry on a baseball field is completely stupid. Female sports aren't real smart either but boys sports is completely stupid.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
If the pitcher wears one it needs to be on his glove hand.

Cite?

quote:

Originally posted by Matt13:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
If the pitcher wears one it needs to be on his glove hand.

Cite?

I think Michael is speaking from a personal point of view...suggesting that he would rule that it would be distracting on his throwing hand and he would have it removed.

If I am correct, every one I have seen has a flap that you have to raise to read it. If that is correct then if it is on his throwing arm he would have to take his glove off between every pitch.
Baseball is a game of traditions. Certain things are done because it works. For many, many years catchers have given signals to pitchers, catchers and SS have called defenses, why all of a sudden re they that stupid they can't read signs.
I completely understand football because there all kinds of permutations of plays. Baseball is a much less complex.

Couple things. 1) It is not a complexity issue. It is a peace of mind issue. I know I am not going to get picked. I know that my players are not going to miss a sign. I feel more relaxed and I can focus. 2) and I quote "Baseball is a game of tradition." ok, so did they always tell us that we had 20 seconds to deliver a pitch and only 1 minute in between innings and carry a stop watch to enforce it? Did they always tell us you had to have 1 foot in the box at all times?

If you want to be a traditionalist I am with you. If you can get the above mentioned changed for me then I will go back to signs. (FYI yes those two thing irritate me. However, I do say the whole thing jokingly.)

The twenty seconds and one minute have been around as long as I have been umpiring. 36 seasons. Telling us to time it is more recent.
I realize the game does evolve, I just don't see how these wristbands improve anything. I am completely baffled by how it keeps you from being picked. Willing to learn but baffled for now.

quote:

My thoughts exactly. How many flippin' plays can you have in baseball?

I saw a high school list the coaching staff. One was described as defensive coach. go figure

Are you referring to the:
ie: Underarmour fabric sweat "Wristbands" or Power Balance rubberized "Wristbands"? Or both?

Power Balance Wristbands are similar in concept to the Phiten Titanium necklaces.

I can see maybe not allowing the necklaces to be worn visibly...but a 22" under your T-shirt & Jersey? And as long as the Power Balance wristband or a sweatband are worn on opposite wrists / arms of a Pitcher...what's the big deal? The sweatbands are for SWEAT! Especially a Pitcher!

QB Wristbands
These are what we are discussing.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
QB Wristbands
These are what we are discussing.

Thanks Mike, never seen or heard of those in the Midwest. Figured "QB" was just the brand, like others. Sorry to get off subject. But, as an Umpire, can you tell me whether or not the things I mentioned are or are not permissible? I only ask, because I had just bought these things for our Varsity Player son's birthday. When he opened his gift, son stated the his HC said those types of things would not be allowed. Didn't know if it was a rule or just the Coaches preference. Thanks

quote:

Power Balance Wristbands

They are illegal. They are considered jewelry.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:

quote:

Power Balance Wristbands

They are illegal. They are considered jewelry.

Thank you. I assume that the Phiten necklaces are too? But, what about the Underarmour Sweat Band...for sweat, say worn on left wrist of a right-handed Pitcher. If those are ilegal too...a small sports sweat towel hanging out of back pocket? Thanks again.