C. Trent Rosecrans

crosecrans@enquirer.com

Billy Hamilton said he's going back to sliding head-first after trying to slide feet-first most of this season for the first time in his career.

And since he's going head-first, Hamilton worked with Reds trainer Paul Lessard to make some guards for his left hand, to keep his fingers from bending back when he slides. However, after his steal of first in the first inning of Tuesday's victory over the Cubs, umpire Joe West said his protective guards were too long and he couldn't use them.

"Everyone's getting hurt sliding head-first, and that's what I want to do, because I feel like sliding feet-first slows me down a lot and this is my first year sliding feet-first, so I'm still learning," Hamilton said. "I feel like it slows me down, so I said I wanted to go back to sliding head-first and being myself. I got in the training room and made some stuff today. A bunch of players are using them around the league that I've seen.

"So I get there and slide, and (West) says, 'Let me look at it,' and he basically told me it was too long. It's like a little cast that you put to keep you from your hand bending. It's like a gel, I'm not trying to get extra length, I don't know what that's supposed to mean. He said it's too long."

Hamilton said West told Reds athletic trainer Paul Lessard to get the protector approved before Wednesday's game if they want another go at making one that can pass muster.

"Even (Cubs outfielder Emilio) Bonifacio wore it again, so I don't think it's a big deal," Hamilton said. "I don't know what really happened. I just do what they say, I won't argue."