Just like players convene on the pitcher's mound to discuss questions or strategy, sometimes everyone could use a little bit of a pitcher's mound conference about baseball. This will be an occasional series in which readers can submit questions via email about anything related to the Red Sox or baseball... and I do my darnedest to answer them for you.
A pitcher cannot lick his fingers while standing on the mound, period. Under Rule 8.02(a)(1), the pitcher is forbidden from bringing his pitching hand in contact with his lips or mouth while standing on the pitcher's mound (other than to blow on his hands in cold weather, if previously agreed on). The penalty is a ball (unless the batter otherwise reaches base and no runner is out, in which case, the penalty is disregarded and the batter stays where he is). If it occurred with 3 balls on the count, it counts as a fourth ball and the batter takes first base.Last night I was watching the 8th inning of the Cubs game (I'm a Sox fan but I love baseball so much if the Sox aren't on, I watch anything), and Zambrano was pitching.. he had stepped off the mound and was about to go back on the mound, but took his foot off the dirt so he could lick his hand. The announcers said something that he's not allowed to lick his hand while on the mound or else the ump would issue a walk? (I think that's what they said). Have you heard of that before?
A pitcher is allowed to lick his fingers while he is standing on the turf surrounding the pitcher's mound... but he must wipe his fingers before touching the ball again.
on May 29, 2008 5:10 PM
Clay Buchholz licks his hand constantly. I never knew what that was all about before this post.