What can a pitcher not wear?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 20, 2026
A pitcher shall not wear any item on his hands, wrists or arms which may be distracting to the batter. A pitcher shall not wear white or gray exposed under-shirt sleeves or any white or gray sleeve that extends below the elbow. A vest and coordinating shirt that is worn underneath is viewed as a type of uniform top.
What color can't a pitcher's glove be?
(a) The pitcher's glove may not, exclusive of piping, be white, gray, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any manner. No fielder, regardless of position, may use a fielding glove that falls within a PANTONE® color set lighter than the current 14-series.
Can a pitcher wear sleeves?
Are pitchers allowed to wear arm sleeves? A baseball pitcher can wear an arm sleeve, but it must be fully covered by an undershirt. And, any part of the pitcher's undershirt that can be seen must be a solid color, and the sleeves cannot be white or gray.
Why can't pitchers wear white sleeves?
except, per MLB rules, pitchers aren't allowed to have any white on their sleeves while on the mound -- it would make it too difficult for batters to pick up the ball. Butler was perfectly aware of the rule, and was ready for the impromptu tailoring.
Can a pitcher wear glasses?
In short, yes! Baseball sunglasses are generally permitted in Little League, high school, and even pro matches.
33 related questions foundCan a pitcher wear eye black?
Now everyone can have a black eye, so to speak. Of course, eye black is also popular on the baseball diamond (except for pitchers, although there's been at least one famous exception to that rule).
Can pitchers wear shades?
Yes, sunglasses are permitted to the pitchers unless umpire thinks they are distracting like mirrored lenses that shine in the batter or the umpire's eyes. Sunglasses help in finding the fly ball in the sun, and that is what a pitcher has to do.
Can a pitcher wear a batting glove?
A pitcher can wear a batting glove as long as it is not on their pitching hand.
Why do they change baseballs when it hits the dirt?
Catchers constantly change baseballs because it is a rule set by the MLB and enforced by umpires. If an umpire notices a ball is scuffed or has dirt on it, a brand new baseball must be introduced into the game. This rule is in place to ensure hitters are able to clearly see every pitch.
How much does a umpire make in the MLB?
The salaries of Major League Baseball Umpires in the US range from $17,890 to $57,750 , with a median salary of $24,870 . The middle 50% of Major League Baseball Umpires makes $24,870, with the top 75% making $57,750.
Can pitchers have tattoos?
The general rule is NO! Players are free to display their respective tattoos because there are no specific rules against tattoos in Major League Baseball. However, pitchers may be asked by the umpire to cover up his tattoos with sleeves if the hitter complains that the tattoos are too distracting.
Can pitchers have painted nails?
Painted Nails Allows Pitchers and Catchers to Communicate
In any game of baseball, it's imperative that the pitcher and catcher are on the same page. They need to always be communicating with each other so the catcher is aware of what pitch is coming next.
Can pitchers wear armbands?
A pitcher can not wear any sweat bands on their pitching arm, but a sweatband under the cap would be permissible.
Why are there no GREY gloves in baseball?
“In the rule book it says no gray gloves, and that's any shade of gray apparently, because Casey's is as dark a gray as you can get,” Hinch said. “Some people would call it off-black, but off-black looks gray. The umpire in Kansas City (Tumpane) deemed it to be gray.
Can pitchers have a white glove?
(a) The pitcher's glove may not, exclusive of piping, be white, gray, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any manner. (b) No pitcher shall attach to his glove any foreign material of a color different from the glove.
Can a pitcher use a red glove?
The pitcher's glove must be one color -- no two-tone gloves allowed -- and can be any color except gray or white.
Do umpires still rub up baseballs?
For years, the New Jersey mud has been used by umpires to rub down baseballs before every game, but this still hasn't stopped pitchers from using a foreign substance at times. Rather than enforce the rules, MLB is considering a different idea: using baseballs that allow for a better grip.
Why do umpires throw out baseballs?
Under the rule's section e, an umpire is required to throw in an “alternate” (e.g., new) ball in at least three circumstances: 1). A ball has been batted out of the playing field or into the spectator area; 2). A ball has become discolored or unfit for further use; 3). The pitcher requests an alternate ball.
Do baseballs float?
So the answer to the question “do baseballs float” is yes. Still, they can't stay afloat for too long. Despite the tightly packed inside and the protective cover made of leather, baseballs rarely float for more than a minute.
Can you wear two gloves in baseball?
1. If baseball players merely wanted to catch as many baseballs as possible, of course they'd wear two gloves. But they also have to throw the ball, so they leave one hand unsheathed. TWO GLOVES GUY knows he doesn't have to throw the ball to anybody.
What size glove do pitchers use?
The average size of a pitcher's glove ranges anywhere from 11.5-12.5 inches but there are many more factors to consider before buying a new glove. These include the size, leather, pocket depth and back style. But, one of the most important factors is what kind of web the glove has.
Can you use a golf glove for baseball?
You can use a Baseball glove for Golf but under USGA rules gloves used in competition or for recording a handicap score must be designed as a Golf glove. Baseball gloves are made of a thicker material than Golf gloves, avoid Baseball gloves with knuckle padding as this will affect your grip.
Can a pitcher wear sunglasses in high school?
The official rule for pitchers is that they ARE allowed to wear sunglasses while on the mound. As long as the sunglasses do NOT distract the hitter or the umpire, the pitcher is free to wear them. If the sunglasses give off any type of glare, the pitcher may be asked by the umpire to remove them.
Can pitchers wear sunglasses in Little League?
Are pitchers allowed to wear sunglasses? Yes, unless the umpire thinks they are distracting, i.e., mirrored lenses that shine in the batter or umpire's eyes. Otherwise, perfectly fine.
Why do baseball players wear flip up sunglasses?
Some pro baseball players prefer flip sunglasses. Since they are easier to get on and off, you can use lenses that are a little darker than normal sunglasses. Flip sunglasses aren't as popular as they used to be. In fact, most players now prefer regular sunglasses over flips.