Iverson sleeve

[Richard_Siegel]

In my scimmage baseball games this season I have seen a lot of players using an Iverson sleeve on the throwing arm. An Iverson sleeve is like a compression tube about 18" long that is worn on the arm. It goes from the armpit all the way to the wrist. I do not know what the medical reason or benfit is to wear this thing. But that is not important.

When worn with the traditional baseball jersey that has 7 or 8 inch short sleeves, the Iverson sleeve appears to look like a long sleeve of an undershirt. However the other arm is left bare. Several pitchers came in to pitch with an Iverson sleeve on his throwing arm. In all cases the Iverson sleeve was black or navy blue. I did not prevent any of the pitchers from pitching. However I spoke to the HCs and told them in the regular season that would not be allowed.

I explained that pitchers are not allowed to have any kind of bandages, arm bands, or wrist bands on either arm. However, because the Iverson sleeve (which IMO is just like a long ACE bandage) appears to look like the long sleeve of an undershirt I think it would be permitted. However, since the sleeves of each player has to be approximately the same length they have to do something to accomodate that requirement too. So I said if the pitcher wants so wear an Iverson sleeve, he has to match it on his other arm in some way. He can wear a long sleeve undershirt that has sleeves that go down to the wrists of both arms so it covers the Iverson sleeve on his throwing arm. Or he could wear two identical Iverson sleeves, one on each arm. In that second case the top of the Iverson sleeve has to be high enough on his arm so the top of the Iverson sleeve cannot be seen. IOW the Iverson sleeve has to look like undershirt sleeves at all times.

[Tim_C]

Richard noted:
"However, because the Iverson sleeve (which IMO is just like a long ACE bandage) appears to look like the long sleeve of an undershirt I think it would be permitted. However, since the sleeves of each player has to be approximately the same length they have to do something to accomodate that requirement too."

According to the NFHS Rules Committee the sleeve is legal as long as the sleeve length item is covered and the sleeve is neither white or grey.

[Ozzy]

Richard noted:


According to the NFHS Rules Committee the sleeve is legal as long as the sleeve length item is covered and the sleeve is neither white or grey.
Here in CT, the Stat rep says that there can be nothing below the elbows. That is going to be interesting to enforce!

Personally, this is all BS as none of this is distracting if you as a batter are focusing on what you are supposed to be focusing on and that is the ball!

[hotsam34]

Richard noted:


According to the NFHS Rules Committee the sleeve is legal as long as the sleeve length item is covered and the sleeve is neither white or grey.

Tim -

If you could clarify and cite source - can F1 wear a compression sleeve that is not white or grey that extends below the elbow on his throwing arm and NOT have something similar on the other arm?
The NCAA pre-season guide specifically addressed this situation, so I was looking for the same type of clarification from FED as well...thanks!

[finnerty]

The sleeves must be both approximately the same length and must match the color of the sleeves of his teammates.

[Tim_C]

"The sleeves must be both approximately the same length and must match the color of the sleeves of his teammates."

Kevin's answer (see above) is perfect.

T

[semper_fi_72]

Here in CT, the Stat rep says that there can be nothing below the elbows. That is going to be interesting to enforce!

Personally, this is all BS as none of this is distracting if you as a batter are focusing on what you are supposed to be focusing on and that is the ball!

It can extend below the elbow as long as it is not white or gray.
1-4-2.
Unless CT is writing their own rule book. :rolleyes:

[BrianC14]

It can extend below the elbow as long as it is not white or gray.
1-4-2.
Unless CT is writing their own rule book. :rolleyes:

Semper is correct here.
This is a 2010 change in the FED book. (revised portion of rule in red):

1-4-2:
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. 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 undershirt 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.

I believe that state associations can adopt their own changes when it comes to uniform requriements.

[Ozzy]

It can extend below the elbow as long as it is not white or gray.
1-4-2.
Unless CT is writing their own rule book. :rolleyes:
Wouldn't be the first time! We were told for years to ignore the gorilla arm.

[ump_24]

I don't understand the concept of this piece of useless fabric.

My understanding is that the NBA mandated that AI wear it to cover profane / vulgar tatties.

I was crusing the Under Armour website (big surprise right) and saw it advertised as being used to prevent "abbrasions, scrapes, cuts, etc" However I have seen these things up close and in person, and it is merely a 7-8 inch piece of fabric...no differnet than taking the kitchen scissors to a regular shirt.

Now on the other hand, watch when a MLB PU takes a shot on the arm...they'll be wearing something similar to this on their arm the next inning. Those are special versions of this that have extra protective padding, but they are extremely hard to find and not the one being discussed here. The compression reduces swelling and obviously the padding lends extra protection - would be worth considering picking up just in case if they can be found at a good price.

I don't understand why people in many sports do things like this and it becomes "stylish."

However, I agree with Ozzie here...unless its white or grey, it shouldn't distract a hitter from seeing the baseball.

[semper_fi_72]

Now on the other hand, watch when a MLB PU takes a shot on the arm...they'll be wearing something similar to this on their arm the next inning. Those are special versions of this that have extra protective padding, but they are extremely hard to find and not the one being discussed here. The compression reduces swelling and obviously the padding lends extra protection - would be worth considering picking up just in case if they can be found at a good price.


I recently took a nasty foul to my left arm, just above the elbow.
HS Game, bot 5th.
By end of game I was losing grip in fingers and arm was pretty swollen.
Went to urgent care to get it xrayed, but luckily nothing was found.
The back side of my arm was more black and blue then the front that was hit.
I did have a nice stitch pattern from the ball there...lol
I wanted some protection on it for awhile so I went and bought a small leg sliding pad made by McDavid.
Fits and protects good.
I still have tenderness so I will continue to use it till I feel it is completely healed.

[Richard_Siegel]

....Went to urgent care to get it xrayed, but luckily nothing was found......

Not even bones?

[umpjmb32]

Not even bones?

We had a guy get hit in the head-- had a CAT scan-- SAME RESULT!!!

Of course we knew that in advance...;)

[semper_fi_72]

Not even bones?

Maybe that is why they took one of the xrays twice..:p

[captk]

I
When worn with the traditional baseball jersey that has 7 or 8 inch short sleeves, the Iverson sleeve appears to look like a long sleeve of an undershirt. However the other arm is left bare. Several pitchers came in to pitch with an Iverson sleeve on his throwing arm. In all cases the Iverson sleeve was black or navy blue. I did not prevent any of the pitchers from pitching. However I spoke to the HCs and told them in the regular season that would not be allowed.

I explained that pitchers are not allowed to have any kind of bandages, arm bands, or wrist bands on either arm. However, because the Iverson sleeve (which IMO is just like a long ACE bandage) appears to look like the long sleeve of an undershirt I think it would be permitted. .

Richard,
Take a look at FED Simplified and Illustrated page 32 rule 1-4-2
Pitchers are allowed to wear medical sleeves that extend below the elbow. However, they may not be white and/or gray.

[Richard_Siegel]

Richard,
Take a look at FED Simplified and Illustrated page 32 rule 1-4-2
Pitchers are allowed to wear medical sleeves that extend below the elbow. However, they may not be white and/or gray.

I do not own the Simplified and Illustrated rule book because I assume anything mentioned in that book should also be in the Difficult and Text-only rulebook. Interesting that the FED would mention medical sleeves only in that book. However, since they are referring to the item as a "sleeve" and not a bandage or a wrap, then to me, this means they still want us to enforce the rules that requires both of F1's sleeves to be the same length and the same color. So if F1 wants to wear a black medical sleeve below the elbow on his pitching arm then he has to have something that looks like the same thing on the other arm too.

BTW, can somebody tell me why in the world a pitcher would want to wear one of these things? What benefit are they supposed to provide?

[captk]

I keep it around because as you see from these forums, there's not always a clear answer in the text-only rule book. While FED clearly addressed "Gorilla Arm" this year, it was up in the air last year except in the "picture book".

And it helps to know what coaches are reading because this is probably the only rule book they look at.

[Richard_Siegel]

... it helps to know what coaches are reading because this is probably the only rule book they look at.

I doubt they look at ANY rule book. Most coaches consider themselves to be experts in the game of baseball. That line of thinking also means they consider themselves to be experts in the rules as well. Most "rules experts," who are not umpires, do not feel the need to read a rule book at all.

FWIW, I teach the training class for our association. Every year I have a few guys who are either current or former head coaches of teams that there child had played on when growing up. They always come up to me during the course and mention how they had no idea how complex umpiring was and how many rules they never knew of before coming to the class.

[chuktownblue]

Interesting that the FED would mention medical sleeves only in that book. However, since they are referring to the item as a "sleeve" and not a bandage or a wrap, then to me, this means they still want us to enforce the rules that requires both of F1's sleeves to be the same length and the same color. So if F1 wants to wear a black medical sleeve below the elbow on his pitching arm then he has to have something that looks like the same thing on the other arm too.

BTW, can somebody tell me why in the world a pitcher would want to wear one of these things? What benefit are they supposed to provide?

They're compression sleeves, not necessarily medical sleeves. The benefit is supposedly increased heat generation and retention through the "compression" of muscle tissue.

NFHS specifically identified compression sleeves worn on one arm as being legal in its 2009 Interps.

[mazzamouth]

They're compression sleeves, not necessarily medical sleeves. The benefit is supposedly increased heat generation and retention through the "compression" of muscle tissue.

NFHS specifically identified compression sleeves worn on one arm as being legal in its 2009 Interps.

yes they are compression sleeves... but a pitcher has to have sleeves of equal length, so if he has one on, there needs to be another..

[bobjenkins]

yes they are compression sleeves... but a pitcher has to have sleeves of equal length, so if he has one on, there needs to be another..

True for NCAA, not true for FED.

In FED, the "compression sleeve" is not the same as the "uniform sleeve" or "undershirt sleeve".