They protested the socks

[Tucson]

I was watching a 12U LL game tonight. The losing team (10-0) protested the game because the winning team had a white softball design all over their socks.

I found the whole thing rather childish.

[GIMNEPIWO]

I agree completely ... We would have turned that double play but the socks on the base runner confused my players but was this a district, regional or state tourny ? I ask this because I know in Dixie Youth there are VERY specific regulations about uniforms which are enforced often on the basis of convenience ... usually the home team or top seeds are exempt ...

[coolstuff]

You may have noticed that a certain kind of sliders have yellow padding inside - very similar in color to the ball. Some players roll these sliders down and turn them inside-out when they are in the field. Once, the plate ump stopped play and ordered a pitcher to either remove the sliders or turn them right side out, because the orange padding may have been confusing for the batter.

[Tucson]

My pitching student has that knee pad and she told me that a dad started yelling about it in ASA, once, and she turned it inside out.

This was LL Allstars, first game. Yes, there are specific rules as to the uniform and I am all for following the rules, but I think I would have told the coach "Your socks may not fit LL rules" or something.

I noticed the socks because they wore 2 different colors and it looked like their were white spots on them.

My town's team, beat themselves with numerous errors, not because of the other team's socks.

[SnocatzDad]

A pitcher wearing a kneepad (or two) that has what looks like a replica softball on it (same size same color) is different from spotted socks. Trying to pick up the correct optic yellow ball from a choice of three moving targets all at about the same height and oriented toward the batter is an advantage to the pitcher that shouldn't be allowed. Other fielder's, I don't care.

[coolstuff]

A pitcher wearing a kneepad (or two) that has what looks like a replica softball on it (same size same color) is different from spotted socks. Trying to pick up the correct optic yellow ball from a choice of three moving targets all at about the same height and oriented toward the batter is an advantage to the pitcher that shouldn't be allowed. Other fielder's, I don't care.

I wasn't passing judgement on the call; merely sharing an experience.

[DonnieS]

I was watching a 12U LL game tonight. The losing team (10-0) protested the game because the winning team had a white softball design all over their socks.

I found the whole thing rather childish.

If that happened here, I would know exactly the family that would do it. If someone cant win on the field, protest something.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Trying to pick up the correct optic yellow ball from a choice of three moving targets all at about the same height and oriented toward the batter is an advantage to the pitcher that shouldn't be allowed. .

If your batter can't distinguish between a blob of yellow on a knee pad and the ball in the pitcher's hand there are bigger problems to worry about.

OK ... half toasted devils advocate ... the rules are in place for obvious and sometimes not obvious reasons ... if a gal gets a base hit ( 2 run double ) with an illegal ( NON-APPROVED ) bat are you going to say something ? ... I did ... Back in Rec when I had an 16-18 team in the States ... Dixie rules clearly stated that all uni's must be matching, same style , same color, no writing on the back side etc etc etc ... one of the top seeded teams, also the home team, also the team from the town where the State Director was from .... had blue shorts, black shorts, shorts that had volleyball and cheer written across the as* ... I didn't give a crap but all my gals had to buy new shorts and tops that matched and they were pissed ...

[clayface74]

We just went through this 2 days ago when we had to get matching socks. I informed the pparent ordering no poka dots or paw prints...I dont want any silly crap keeping my team from advancing. If that means we have to match and not wear dots or my favorite...an image of a ball on the jersey or shorts...so be it. I would rather gripe about 80 bucks in socks than a loss because we did not change. LL is very specific about dress when it comes to color and "ball" designs. Last year our local LL 12's won IN state and when they arrived in MO for regionals they were threatened with forfeits because the charter fees had not been paid!! Ouch. They got them paid and were able to play. I am crossing and dotting

[black&blue]

We were at a tournament a few weeks ago when the ump stops the game after DD throws one pitch. She uses the Mizuno MVP glove that has the yellowish/greenish Mizuno fastpitch logo on the outside of the glove. Ump says she can't use the glove. She pitches the next pitch with her catcher's extra glove while I scramble to look for the Sharpie I usually keep in my cooler. (I had read about this possibility on the Bucket last year.) Of course I forgot to pack it. The best we could do was fill in the "Mizuno" with eye black...blech, it got all over me and everything I had with me that day!! They eye black has since worn off, not another word from an ump since that day and I haven't forgotten to pack the Sharpie!