Umpires begin checking pitchers for sticky stuff
The search is on by major league umpires for sticky stuff that pitchers might use to doctor baseballs.
What has long been against the rules but rarely enforced is being overlooked no more. The crackdown began Monday when major and minor league umpires started regular checks of all pitchers for tacky substances used to get a better grip on the balls, but can also increase the spin of the balls and make hitting them more difficult.
“I think I’ve seen everything in baseball, but this is new, setting a new precedent,” said Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker, in his 24th season as a big league manager after 19 seasons as a player.
Asked whether such substances were tacitly allowed in the past, Baker responded, “You just didn’t really make a fuss about it, but it was against the rules, so we’ll see.”
Any pitcher caught using banned foreign substances would be ejected and then suspended for 10 games.
Jacob deGrom was the first pitcher inspected under the new directive in the opener of the New York Mets’ doubleheader against Atlanta.
The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner passed.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WILL HAVE STANDARD CROWD SEATING >> The Baseball Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony is returning to its standard seating format, opening the door for another big crowd.
Hall of Fame officials said Monday that tickets will not be required for the event’s free lawn seating area. The ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 8 on the grounds of Clark Sports Center and will honor class of 2020 members Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker.
No one was selected this year.