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There has been quite a bit of talk about pitchers using pine tar and other stuff to increase spinrate on pitches.

Pitchers have always done stuff like this but apparently pitchers are now using more tacky stuff to get an even better effect.

Eno sarris from the athletic has talked to guys behind the scenes and now claims that for example the brand spider tack would be +300 to +500 RPM on spin rate which if you combine it with pitch design to optimize the spin direction really makes balls hard to hit and increase strike outs.

Some have argued that pitchers always have done it and this increases control and thus Batter safety but HBP actually are on a very high level right now so that probably doesn't work so well.

Also with guys testing new substances the level playing field argument isn't that great anymore either.

Does mlb need to enforce something against that?

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There are certain high level college pitchers that other teams suspect of doing it.  It is a given that certain pitchers touch a certain place on their uniform before a pitch when a new ball is put in or every so many pitches.  I have wondered why they would not object to it but I've been told that there is almost one pitcher on every college team that does it so if you turn the other team in they will reverse it back on you.  Man code I reckon.

Shildt of the Cardinals told the truth.  It depends upon who you are and the organization you play for.  Some of these pitchers are laughing at MLB and know nothing is going to happen.  The rules need to be enforced.  Right now this has turned the game into a mockery of the game.  On one film review on MLB Central, they showed a pitch going straight sideways from an overhead pitcher.  The following comment was that they could not get a whiffle ball to break like that. 

Last edited by CoachB25

Manfred is a terrible commissioner.  As noted by others above, the stuff going on is obvious and observable, simple to catch in the act, and easy to investigate, easy to put an end to.  He let players cheat to win a World Series, without consequence for god's sake.  It isn't surprising he'd let a little thing like spitballing go on.

I think manfreds plan is to do it like the Mitchell report where you do an investigation but no punishment kinda as a warning and then next year enforce it.

That way you give players enough time to get off the juice to avoid a big scandal with dozens of guys getting caught.

That's why they are collecting caps and balls and Analyse them behind the scenes.

@Dominik85 posted:

I think manfreds plan is to do it like the Mitchell report where you do an investigation but no punishment kinda as a warning and then next year enforce it.

That way you give players enough time to get off the juice to avoid a big scandal with dozens of guys getting caught.

That's why they are collecting caps and balls and Analyse them behind the scenes.

This approach has no deterrent value... hence the fact that they are doing this on the heals of a major cheating scandal without any fear of reprisal.  Once this is resolved he should expect yet another type of cheating scandal since it is obvious he let's them get away with it.

@mattys posted:

pitchers have been doing it forever. if a pitcher, especially in HS where they aren't likely PO, has "sticky stuff" on his hands, who's to say that it isn't just pine tar from his last AB?  ditto for the NL where pitchers hit.

This is methodical, not some random act of pine tar from their last AB...most relievers never touch a bat and they are throwing nasty, unhittable pitches...

Last edited by fly996

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