Earlier this week, MLB released the results of a scientific study that determined there weren’t any changes to the size, weight, seam height or COR of the baseball to explain the rapid increase in home runs over the last three seasons.
Talks of altered baseballs gained steamed during the 2017 World Series, when some pitchers, including former Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yu Darvish, noticed a physical difference in the balls provided for warmups.
Rich Hill has also pointed out the discrepancies of the baseballs in recent seasons and opined that the different texture of leather has led to a widespread issue in blisters for pitchers.
While Hill isn’t opposed to the MLB-wide rise in home runs, he wants the league to begin allowing pitchers to tape their fingers in order to prevent future injuries, or find a solution to develop consistent baseballs, via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“It’s an issue that’s going on. It has to be solved for the health and safety of the pitchers. For the ownership, for the fans, for people who want to see pitchers stay on the mound, they have to come up with a solution. I don’t enjoy sitting here being paid and not producing. I don’t enjoy that at all. I want to play. I love playing. I’m passionate about playing. I think anyone in any locker room throughout baseball, that’s what they want to do. I think either come up with a solution – don’t change the balls, keep them the same, come with a solution where pitchers can tape their finger and get it approved like a boxer, before they go up there and play and say, ‘you’re good to go,’ sign it and go pitch. It definitely has to be something where it is solved.”
Hill is currently on the 10-day disabled list with another blister issue that is expected to keep him sidelined for four weeks.
The left-hander recently revealed that he petitioned MLB for approval to wear protective tape, which the rules currently forbid. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the organization also reached out to the league in an attempt to initiate discussions.
Hill has already played catch with protective tape on his blister and is set to pitch in a simulated game on Saturday, following Clayton Kershaw.
