Umpires Hate on American Flag During Cubs Game

Tongue firmly in cheek here, but it was still kind of ridiculous that the umpires made Chicago Cubs pitcher Luke Little change his glove because of a small patch that had the American flag on it.

This happened Wednesday night, when the left-handed relief pitcher came in to face the Houston Astros in the top of the seventh inning. Before Little retired two of the best left-handed hitters in the game, he was forced to change gloves because according to official MLB rules, “”The pitcher’s glove may not, exclusive of piping, be white, gray, nor, in the judgment of an umpire, distracting in any manner.”

The white that was on Little’s glove were the stripes and stars on the American flag patch.

C’mon, that’s what the umpires are worried about?

Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed that the American flag patch was the umpire’s reasoning for making Little switch gloves.

Little changed gloves and then made quick work of Yordan Álvarez, who grounded out and then there was some extra fire from the Cubs lefty after he struck out Kyle Tucker to end the seventh inning.

Little helped the Cubs bullpen secure Wednesday’s win, hanging on to a 4-3 victory. The rookie made the Opening Day roster, but was optioned to Triple-A earlier in April only to get promoted once again a week later after a couple injuries to the pitching staff.

So far in his young career, Little has shown flashes of potentially being a closer in the future. He’s only given up two earned runs in 15 innings of work, striking out 19 and surrendering just 10 hits in 16 appearances. If he can decrease the walks just a bit, then watch out because the Cubs could have something special in him.

Oh and let Luke Little wear the flag on his glove!