Catcher throws dirt on batters leg or slaps glove to ground as pitch is delivered in attempt to distract batter. Is there a rule against this or is it just poor sportsmanship and should be handles within the "unwritten" rules?
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The glove issue doesnt bother me....as an old catcher I often popped my mitt with my fist to mold the pocket or snapped the glove open and shut a few times prior to the pitch...
I see this much the same as infielder popping their mitts behind the baserunners or for that matter a runner clapping on the bases (which I absolutely hate, but there is no rule against it)...
As to the throwing of dirt, I have stopped that before and I see that as unsportsmanlike behavior...I stopped an F6 from doing that..would fill his glove with dirt and toss it at the runner.......
I see this much the same as infielder popping their mitts behind the baserunners or for that matter a runner clapping on the bases (which I absolutely hate, but there is no rule against it)...
As to the throwing of dirt, I have stopped that before and I see that as unsportsmanlike behavior...I stopped an F6 from doing that..would fill his glove with dirt and toss it at the runner.......
quote:Originally posted by catcher5dad:
Catcher throws dirt on batters leg or slaps glove to ground as pitch is delivered in attempt to distract batter. Is there a rule against this or is it just poor sportsmanship and should be handles within the "unwritten" rules?
In Summer ball last year... R2... no outs.. I was behind the Dish my partner in C. SS tossed dirt on the runner during the pitch which distracted him, called the pitch a strike (it was) then came up and called Obstruction... on the SS... awarded R2 3rd... stopped that!