Q: I am writing to seek clarification on the compression sleeve issues we have been having. Last night we had a reliever enter the game wearing a solid black compression sleeve that extended down past the elbow, ending near the wrist. He was wearing it on his right arm as he is a right handed pitcher. The Umps informed him that he would need to have the sleeve be the same length on both arms instructing our pitcher to either take it off or put one on his left arm to match!! We questioned the umps decision and they said that was the rule. My understanding of the rule is that as long as it is not white, or gray or multi colored and it is a solid color such as black or the color of the jersey (school colors) he should be able to wear it.
The other issue we had was in a game last weekend. The ump made our second baseman and our right fielder take off there compression sleeves after an abat stating, because they weren't the color of the jersey or matched the black one our pitcher had they were considered to be illegal. Again my understanding of the rule is that the color of the compression only pertains to the individual that is on the mound. IE: if the second baseman came into pitch wearing the white compression sleeve he would need to take that off before pitching in the game!! or change and put on a black one!!!!
A: The rule reads:
ART. 2 . . . For individual players, uniform sleeve lengths may vary. However, sleeves of each individual player shall be approximately the same length and shall not be ragged, frayed or slit. If the pitcher's undershirt sleeves are exposed, they shall not be white or gray. Compression sleeves that are solid black or solid dark-colored shall be the only colors allowed to be worn by the pitcher below his elbow. 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.
The sleeves of the shirt must be approximately the same length and can’t be ragged, frayed or slit. The rule does not state any requirement of the compression sleeve.
The rule only addresses the pitcher. If you wish to keep this email with your scorebook, feel free to do so.