Searching for sticky stuff: MLB umps start checking pitchers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — 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.

The Mets and Braves were among 14 Major League Baseball teams scheduled to play Monday, six days after a five-page memo to teams about the pending change in enforcement that followed what baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred called an extensive process of repeated warnings without effect.

Fans at Citi Field booed loudly when plate umpire Ben May halted deGrom on the pitcher's path off the field after the right-hander retired the side in order with two strikeouts in the first inning.

Crew chief Ron Kulpa jogged in from third base and asked deGrom for his glove and hat, and deGrom chuckled as he handed them over. Kulpa looked them over and handed them back, then asked...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Searching-for-sticky-stuff-MLB-umps-start-16263760.php