# How often do baserunners get jackets in baseball? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 10, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-baserunners-get-jackets-in-baseball/444701 "2008-04-10T00:30:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frosted\_Glass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frosted_glass/32/3926_2.png) [@Frosted\_Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosted_Glass)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-baserunners-get-jackets-in-baseball/444701/1 "2008-04-10T00:30:19Z")
I am watching the Mets game right now and I noticed that Pelfrey is wearing a jacket on first (handed to him after the single). This is the second time that I have seen a baserunner in a jacket. The first was one of the Phillies in the 2nd. The difference is that it was at least raining in the 2nd. I was just wondering how common this practice is. Until tonight, I had never noticed it so maybe I have not been paying enough attention. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-baserunners-get-jackets-in-baseball/444701/2 "2008-04-10T00:32:39Z")
Usually the only baserunners who get jackets at first are pitchers who wind up there. It’s intended to allow them to keep their arms warm while they’re out there being offensive and such. ---
**Author:** ![Frosted\_Glass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frosted_glass/32/3926_2.png) [@Frosted\_Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosted_Glass)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-baserunners-get-jackets-in-baseball/444701/3 "2008-04-10T00:40:54Z")
That was insanely quick, thanks. Do you know if there are any rules that specifically cover this? I was wondering about the pitcher thing but I could not remember if the baserunner on the Phillies was the pitcher or not. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-baserunners-get-jackets-in-baseball/444701/4 "2008-04-10T01:27:34Z")
Moving to The Game Room. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-baserunners-get-jackets-in-baseball/444701/5 "2008-04-10T01:33:26Z")
There really isn’t a need for a rule on it, IMO. It’s not like it makes a positive difference in their running speed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-baserunners-get-jackets-in-baseball/444701/6 "2008-04-10T11:30:49Z")
I haven’t been able to find a mention in the MLB rulebook about it. It appears to be one of those ‘extra-legal’ things, like running gloves, that the first base coach takes care of for the player. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-baserunners-get-jackets-in-baseball/444701/7 "2008-04-10T12:32:42Z")
It’s a long-time practice (I remember it back in the 60s, and it probably was part of the game long before that). I doubt it’s in the rulebook, since the jacket has no direct affect on the game. Since both teams can take advantage of it, no one protests. ---
**Author:** ![ShermanAter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ShermanAter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShermanAter)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-baserunners-get-jackets-in-baseball/444701/8 "2008-04-11T02:21:56Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] There really isn’t a need for a rule on it, IMO. It’s not like it makes a positive difference in their running speed. 😃 [/QUOTE] I agree whole heartedly with you silenus; It’s not like it makes a positive difference in their running speed. [highjack] Why is marijuana banned from most athletic contests? I’ve never known it to be much of a performance enhancer either. [end highjack/] Don’t mind me, I’m just rambling