Why do OU softball's catchers wear blue tape when Jordy Bahl pitches?

OU pitcher Jordy Bahl figures to be front-and-center for the Sooners during the Women’s College World Series championship series against Florida State.

So too, then, will be the blue tape worn across the chest protector of Sooners catcher Kinzie Hansen, when Bahl is in the circle.

Early in the season, OU's catchers began wearing the strip of blue tape — and sometimes multiple strips of tape — down the front of their chest protectors when Bahl is in the circle.

Before the tape was added, Bahl was 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA, allowing four home runs and walking 14 in 29 innings.

Since the tape appeared, Bahl is 17-0 with a 0.52 ERA, allowing just two home runs and walking 22 in 108 ⅓ innings.

“I think the blue is just more of something to lock her eyes on,” Sooners coach Patty Gasso said of the tape.

“It’s nothing. There’s no big philosophical story behind it. It’s just locking your eyes on it, and it’s just a different color than the guard, chest protector.”

Game 1 of the best-of-three finals is 7 p.m. Wednesday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.

More: How OU softball star Jayda Coleman draws joy from friendships with special-needs students

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why OU softball catchers wear blue tape as Jordy Bahl pitches in WCWS