You also can't catch a baseball with your hat.

[Riverbrian]

 

I don't like the rule. I understand the reason for the rule. The glove is the only approved equipment. They want to prevent people from bringing additional equipment on to the field.

The rule is unnecessary... this should be a catch. 

If a player wants to throw their hat glove or shoe at a ball... let them. If they manage to hit the ball and stop it. Good for them. 

Glove's have rules, Bats have Rules... Uniforms have rules already in place to prevent players from bringing fishing nets on to the field. 

This ball was caught... it did not hit the ground. It was ruled a hit. 

 

[Trov]

With all rules there needs to be lines drawn, and if you leave too much to "intent" it makes it hard for the person enforcing the rule to manage.  I agree, there was no intent by the pitcher to use his shirt to catch the ball, and as announcers said you will most likely never see again a ball do that.  I mean he was lucky it did not hit him square in the side because that would have caused some damage. 

I remember CC Sabathia having a very baggy jersey and if that was considered a catch, for an out, then I could see a lot of pitchers trying to gain that little edge and have baggy jerseys for the once in a lifetime chance it happens to them.