Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

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I always thought that Gary Sheffield used a big glove. After reading this description I see that he does.

Just wondering does MLB check players gloves? I also remember a centerfielder that played with the Giants, Braves, and the Dodgers by the name of Brett Butler that used a really big glove.

I dont think that MLB checks glove size despite their rules. I know several outfielders have been 'accused' of using oversized gloves through the years but I do not know of a single one that has been called on it a la George Brett and the infamous pine tar incident.

The point is moot in the case of Shef because for the Tigers he is all but exclusively a DH.

Major League rule book states no player (other than catcher or first baseman) shall use a glove that is larger than 12 inches in length.

The glove shall not measure more than 12 inches from the tip of any one of the four fingers, through the ball pocket to the bottom edge or heel of glove.

They'll be a Warren Commission next for glove size...

Back in the early 1990s, MLB suddenly announced the 12-inch rule was going to be enforced. Lotsa players were using 13 and 14 inch gloves, outfielders especially. So the glove makers sort of panicked and started re-tooling. (Docglove can testify to this).
But nothing came of it, supposedly because of a tacit and unspoken understanding among managers, that, "you call my guy, I'm gonna call your's" for infraction of the glove length." There has to be a play made and a protest lodged before the rule is enforced as I understand it. Umpires can enforce the rule but there has to be a registered protest.
Butler used a giant glove and so did Reuben Sierra. Several others.

So would it be possible for a team to all use gloves that are 12" and below for a big game (World Series), then if the other team catches a fly ball in a critical point you could argue that it wasn't a legal catch? As long as your gloves all check out the umpires would have to enforce the rule.

If you look at it that way, any home run that is robbed would certainly call for a glove inspection.

I don't think this is rule that will ever be enforced. Can you imagine Jim Edmonds having to use a Pro-1000HC in the outfield??