This is peak Joe West:
https://www.closecallsports.com/2018/09/carded-why-west-confiscated-pitchers.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Here is the video:
Austin Davis has been using that scouting card the entire season without issue..... Until Joe west comes along....
MLB should tell the umps that this is a legal thing to have as outfielders have it and use it for positioning
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24552138/umpire-joe-west-confiscates-cheat-sheet-austin-davis-philadelphia-phillies-relieverPHILADELPHIA -- Pitchers can't have a cheat sheet -- at least for now.
Veteran umpire Joe West confiscated a card from Phillies reliever Austin Davis in the eighth inning of Philadelphia's 7-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night.
Davis and Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said he was using the card merely for information on the Cubs hitters. But West said it was illegal under Rule 6.02(c)(7), which states that the pitcher shall not have on his person, or in his possession, any foreign substance.
"I told him we don't allow him to carry anything on their glove, person or clothing except in some cases where there's a rain situation we allow them to put a rosin bag in their pocket,'' West, umpiring his 41st season, said. "Other than that they can't have anything on the pitcher.''
The card is similar to ones used by Phillies fielders to position themselves for batters. Davis pulled the card out of his back pocket and consulted it prior to Kris Bryant's single and then again before facing pinch-hitter Addison Russell. West then came to the mound and took the card from Davis. Kapler, a huge proponent of analytics who introduced the cards to the Phillies players this season, came out to argue with West for several minutes.
But West kept the card.
"I saw him take it out and I went, 'What the heck is that?''' West said.
The umpire called the league office after the game and admitted the use of the card may be in a gray area.
"I didn't want to throw him out,'' West said. "I know it's foreign but he's not trying to cheat. Maybe he's trying to get an advantage because he's reading the scouting report, but it wasn't pine tar, it wasn't an emery board, it wasn't whatever.
"In the long run, maybe they'll let him (have the card). Right now, my hands are tied until they say yes or now. Right now, until the office says it's OK to carry this, he can't do it.''
https://www.closecallsports.com/2018/09/carded-why-west-confiscated-pitchers.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Here is the video:
Austin Davis has been using that scouting card the entire season without issue..... Until Joe west comes along....
MLB should tell the umps that this is a legal thing to have as outfielders have it and use it for positioning