Umpires asked Chicago Cubs pitcher Luke Little to remove a glove with an American flag patch during Wednesday’s game against the Houston Astros. Officials said the white on the patch violated league rules.
Little was called in to pitch during the seventh inning, but umpires told him to change his glove before letting him take the mound.
“The issue was the American flag was on his glove,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “Pitchers’ gloves, they’re pretty strict about not having white on the pitchers’ gloves. Apparently the flag had what could be a distraction to the hitter.”
Little took the mound with a new glove that wasn’t broken in. He faced two batters and got both out in the Cubs’ 4-3 victory at Wrigley Field.
The 23-year-old said he’s used the same glove throughout his career without any issues.
“It’s not like it has an advantage in the game. It’s not like it blinds the hitters. Just representing my country,” the North Carolina native said. “Just a whole debacle. Got to get ready without it and throw through it.”
MLB officials have not commented on the situation, but league rules prohibit pitchers’ gloves from having “any foreign material of a color different from the glove.” An umpire can use their judgment to determine whether a pitcher’s glove is distracting to hitters.
— This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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