Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

Interesting video:

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx ... 3320baa107

http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx ... b522237e45

The pitcher, with a custom-made glove, switched hands each time the batter switched sides of the plate, seeking an edge based on the conventional baseball wisdom that left-handed batters fare better against right-handed pitchers and vice versa. In frustration the teams asked the umpires for a decision. The umpires decided that both sides could switch once per time at bat, but that the batter had to decide first, giving the pitcher an advantage. The pitcher used his right arm to strike out the batter, batting right, on four pitches to end the game.

I was reading about that in the paper yesterday. Too bad they didn't do a close up on his glove - must be pretty interesting.

here's a u tuber of the Creighton pitcher showing his glove inside and out.
Sort of a modified trapeze, balanced on both sides with the cross lacing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U2xkHOTvvw

As an umpire, I'm glad that was the decision the umpires came up with, because that is PRECISELY the rule interpretation offered by the PBUC (Professional Baseball Umpires Corporation- the governing body for all minor league umpires).

(Unless somebody just guessed and by pure random chance came up with the same exact ruling issued by their own governing body )

By the way, the high school and college ruling is different. For those two, the pitcher has to pick and arm and stick with that same arm until the current batter is retired.

his glove is custom made by Louisville Slugger

A close-up of an ambidextrious glove ...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/259 ... 9482_o.jpg

A related story: A church friend of mine makes custom gloves and has done some great repair work for me and hundreds of others in Texas. (Joe knows this guy, too, and can vouch for his quality work and talent!). I once went into his living room, which looked like a mini Rawlings factory, and saw in his china-cabinet/glove display case an ambidextrious glove that had been ordered by a college pitcher, but had not yet been paid for. I tried to try it on, but my big paws didn't fit. It was really cool!

BretMan wrote:As an umpire, I'm glad that was the decision the umpires came up with, because that is PRECISELY the rule interpretation offered by the PBUC (Professional Baseball Umpires Corporation- the governing body for all minor league umpires).

(Unless somebody just guessed and by pure random chance came up with the same exact ruling issued by their own governing body )

By the way, the high school and college ruling is different. For those two, the pitcher has to pick and arm and stick with that same arm until the current batter is retired.

OBRs allow the batter to ask for time and change batter's box anytime the pitcher is not in the pitching position. However, if he does it too much and delays the game it can be penalized uner the "mischevious behavior rule".