Baseball is a beloved sport with a long and storied history. Players of the game have been wearing gloves since the early 19th century, but over the years, the gloves have evolved to become more specialized. Major League Baseball (MLB) has strict rules and regulations governing the type of gloves that players can wear during games, and there are certain gloves that are strictly prohibited. In this article, we will explore what gloves are illegal in MLB.
Types of Legal Gloves
Before we discuss the gloves that are illegal in MLB, let’s first take a look at the gloves that are allowed. In the sport of baseball, there are two main types of gloves: fielder’s gloves and batting gloves. Fielder’s gloves are worn by players in the field and are designed to provide support, protection, and grip. These gloves are usually made of leather, and they can range in size from 11” to 15” in length. The size of the glove is determined by the position that the player plays. For example, pitchers and catchers typically wear smaller gloves than infielders and outfielders.
Batting gloves are the second type of glove that are legal in MLB. As the name implies, these gloves are designed to be worn by batters and provide support and protection for the hands. Batting gloves are usually made of synthetic materials such as nylon, spandex, and neoprene, and they are typically thinner and more flexible than fielder’s gloves.
Rules Governing Glove Use
In addition to specifying the types of gloves that are allowed, MLB also has rules and regulations governing the use of gloves. For example, a player is not allowed to use a fielder’s glove that has been modified in any way. This includes altering the size or shape of the glove or adding extra padding or material.
MLB also prohibits the use of gloves that have been treated with any type of substance that could give the player an advantage. This includes the use of sticky substances such as pine tar or rosin, as well as any type of substance that could make the glove more supple or allow it to grip the ball better.
Finally, MLB prohibits the use of any type of glove that has been designed to give the player an unfair advantage. This includes gloves that are designed to increase the player’s grip on the ball, as well as gloves that have been modified to make it easier to catch the ball.
Gloves That Are Illegal in MLB
Now that we have discussed the types of gloves that are allowed in MLB and the rules governing glove use, let’s take a look at the gloves that are strictly prohibited. The most common type of illegal glove is the “sticky glove”. These gloves are designed to be treated with a sticky substance, such as pine tar or rosin, to give the player an unfair advantage by making it easier to grip the ball.
Another type of glove that is illegal in MLB is the “magnetic glove”. These gloves are designed to be treated with a magnet, which can make it easier to catch the ball.
Finally, the “webbed glove” is also prohibited in MLB. These gloves are designed to have webbing between the fingers, which can make it easier to catch the ball and give the player an unfair advantage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Major League Baseball has strict rules and regulations governing the types of gloves that players can wear during games. Fielder’s gloves and batting gloves are the only types of gloves that are allowed, and there are certain gloves that are strictly prohibited. These include the sticky glove, the magnetic glove, and the webbed glove. All of these gloves are designed to give the player an unfair advantage and are therefore illegal in MLB.