Why is pepper banned from some ballparks?

[steveox]

I dont see the big deal.Ever see in back of screen says no pepper?

[Sean O]

I'm gonna assume that most people on this board never played little league when they were young.

from baseballtips.com:
pepper -- Pepper is a common pre-game exercise where one player bunts brisk grounders and line drives to a group of fielders who are standing about 20 feet away. The fielders try to throw it back as quickly as possible. The batter hits the return throw. (Some ballparks ban pepper games because wild pitches could land in the stands and injure spectators).

[steveox]

They dont need to play pepper near the stands They could go to the bullpen and pratice it.

[JPL BMX]

I can't realll see why you would ban pepper, they could just to in the outfield. I did it in little league all the time and fields are way smaller making it easier for someone to get hurt.

[bhss89]

I'm gonna assume that most people on this board never played little league when they were young.

from baseballtips.com:
pepper -- Pepper is a common pre-game exercise where one player bunts brisk grounders and line drives to a group of fielders who are standing about 20 feet away. The fielders try to throw it back as quickly as possible. The batter hits the return throw. (Some ballparks ban pepper games because wild pitches could land in the stands and injure spectators).

You are correct, sir.

I might add that the propensity for ballplayers to stand in one spot and shuffle their spikes to and fro while playing in a small area on the grass is the other reason pepper is banned in many ballparks. The head groundskeeper ain't too fond on the grass being destroyed simply because some ballplayers wanted to warm up within sight of the hot singles in the front few rows!

Regarding the game itself, I have fond memories of playing with my fellow pitchers in college. We also played a game we called "Flips" that became really violent at times, which was perfect for guys who sometimes only saw action every 3 or 4 games.

[steveox]

I think the commisoner should rule a team has the right to play pepper but they should do it in a designated area.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I've only seen this ban at Fenway.

[steveox]

Its also Banned in Detroit.

[west coast orange and black]

Captain Cold Nose:I've only seen this ban at Fenway.

playing pepper near the backstop is banned at all 30 ballyards.
the stated reason is that it jacks up the grass too much.

players do not like to play pepper in the outfield because they'd hafta chase down the errant balls.

[sschirmer]

Captain Cold Nose:I've only seen this ban at Fenway.

playing pepper near the backstop is banned at all 30 ballyards.
the stated reason is that it jacks up the grass too much.

players do not like to play pepper in the outfield because they'd hafta chase down the errant balls.

Finally. I should have known Tony would rescue this thread.

[steveox]

Captain Cold Nose:I've only seen this ban at Fenway.
players do not like to play pepper in the outfield because they'd hafta chase down the errant balls.

Well like said play pepper in the bullpens.Bullpens dont have to be pretty cause cameras only show pitchers warming up.

[Bluesteve32]

As a former groundkeeper, pepper is not played between the dugouts because those are the heavy traffic areas which cause much wear and tear on the turf. Most parks do not want the payers to warm up in the infield, but on the outfield grass. Pepper in the outfield is permitted in ballparks as part of any warmup drills.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Captain Cold Nose:I've only seen this ban at Fenway.

playing pepper near the backstop is banned at all 30 ballyards.
the stated reason is that it jacks up the grass too much.

players do not like to play pepper in the outfield because they'd hafta chase down the errant balls.

Thanks. That makes perfect sense. Is this posted in other stadiums? I know I've seen the sign at Fenway, but never noticed it anywhere else.

[Gary Dunaier]

The Mets also had "NO PEPPER GAMES" on the wall behind home plate during that time.

[nymTom]

following is a short old clip of a team playing Pepper

http://media.oregonstate.edu/ramgen/archives/p48-10-oac-baseball.rm