In what was a controversial decision at the time, MLB began to enforce rules that banned the use of foreign substances on baseballs last June. The league’s hope was offense would increase with the elimination of a significant advantage pitchers had gained.
While players were open to MLB eliminating the use of sticky substances, they took issue with the sudden enforcement.
To ensure that the application of the rules is consistent, umpires were instructed to regularly check pitchers on both teams throughout a game, whether or not they suspected a violation. Starting pitchers had more than one mandatory check per game, while relief pitchers were checked either at the conclusion of an inning or prior to being removed.
MLB conducted studies that found spin rates had declined, however the trend reversed as the regular season wound to a close. In response, checks for sticky substances will become more thorough during Spring Training games this weekend and into the 2022 regular season, per Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated:
In the memo to clubs obtained by Sports Illustrated, senior vice president of baseball operations Mike Hill wrote, “If an umpire’s inspection reveals that the pitcher’s hand is unquestionably sticky or shows unmistakable signs of the presence of a foreign substance, the umpire will conclude that the pitcher was applying a foreign substance to the baseball for the purpose of gaining an unfair competitive advantage.”
In such a case the pitcher is ejected and suspended automatically. Hill continued in the memo, “If an umpire observes a pitcher attempt to wipe off his hands prior to an inspection he may be subject to immediate ejection.” Catchers and position players, who could harbor source material, are subject to the same rules.
Starting pitchers “should continue to expect more than one mandatory check per game,” according to the memo. Each relief pitcher will be checked at least once.
Amid complaints over the absence of a tack on baseballs, MLB began experimenting with finding a solution. Among the tests was a portion of the Arizona Fall League being played with balls that had an approved substance pre-applied.
Treinen frustrated by sticky substance check
Blake Treinen was among those to speak out against MLB beginning checks on the field because of his belief they created a false perception.
“The only thing that I really don’t like is it makes every pitcher that comes onto the mound kind of like a guilty culprit until proven innocent,” Treinen said. “We all just look like we’re a bunch of cheaters to the publics’ eyes, and that’s not really fair to a majority of the pitchers out there. But we’ll do what we have to do if that’s what it means to clear our names.”
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