Ump shouldn't have taken pitcher's 'cheat sheet'
The eighth inning of an otherwise lopsided game between the Phillies and Cubs on Saturday managed to have its share of controversy. It was all over a piece of paper.
Phillies reliever Austin Davis has been known to have a scouting report with him during his pitching appearances. The "cheat sheet," which simply gets used as a quick reference for player tendencies, was confiscated by umpire Joe West.
According to MLB, though, West made a mistake.
When West went to the mound and took the paper away, manager Gabe Kapler came out to argue as Davis also made his case.
West said after the game that he felt the paper was a violation of Rule 6.02(c)(7), which says the pitcher can't "have on his person, or in his possession, any foreign substance."
Via AP:
"I know all the players now carry a cheat sheet like this. I saw him take it out and I went, 'What the heck is that?' I said, 'You can have it back after the game, but you can't have it now.' I didn't want to throw him out. I know it's foreign, but he's not trying to cheat."
Davis wasn't ejected. The league told the Cubs, according to MLB.com, that West made an error in that interpretation.
As long as Davis didn't delay the game, he was allowed to have the paper with him. After losing the scouting report, Davis went on to give up two runs in the 7-1 loss.
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