Could The MLB Sticky Foreign Substance Controversy Be A Diversionary Tactic?
COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 25: Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry attends the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ... [+] ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 25, 20010 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) Getty Images  Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry earned a reputation for loading up the baseball with foreign substances. That practice was against MLB rules in Perrys time, just as it is now. In the midst of an already strange season, Major League Baseball is cracking down on pitchers using sticky foreign substances to doctor the baseball. Responding to complaints from hitters and other pitchers, earlier this season, MLB began confiscating game used baseballs. In many cases, an analysis of baseballs taken from games revealed foreign substances had, indeed, been applied to the ball. The foreign substances cause increased spin and change the trajectory and dynamics of the baseball. A product called Spider Tack-a sticky, tacky substance-had become popular with some pitchers who wanted to best control their grip on the slick baseballs. But Spider Tack, and any other foreign substances used by pitchers, violates the rules. Beginning with games played Monday, June 21, 2021, umpires began checking the hats, gloves and if need be, the belts of pitchers as they left the field between innings. If a foreign substance is found during the search, the pitcher will be ejected from the game and be suspended for 10 games. However, the pitcher will be paid during the suspension and the team may not replace him on the roster. Pitchers loudly complain that the baseballs being used are far too slick, resulting in reduced ability for the pitcher to get a good grip on the ball. During the recent offseason, Major League Baseball changed the specifications of the baseball. Baseballs are now a tad bit lighter in weight, and some say that new construction of the baseball has had an impact on player performance and results. For years, Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud, a product produced in New Jersey, has been the only legal substance permitted to be rubbed on baseballs. Not resin, not pine tar, not sunscreen, just Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud is permitted. The New Jersey muds mineral content makes the product unique. MLB rules say baseballs must be properly rubbed so that the gloss is removed. Umpires used to rub each baseball before each game. Now, however, clubhouse attendants are charged with the responsibility of rubbing the special mud on each and every baseball that may be used in a game. Once MLB started open discussions regarding their intent to crackdown on the use of foreign substances on baseballs, pitchers must have changed their methods. In fact, spin rates, which early this season were among the highest ever recorded, have come down for several prominent pitchers. Not really. In fact, Tyler Glasnow of the Tampa Bay Rays feels changing his pitching routine and methodology in the middle of the year has contributed to his partially torn elbow ligament, which requires him to be placed on the teams injured list. Upset about having to change his pitching style, Glasnow told reporters, I just threw 80-something innings, and then you just told me I cant use anything in the middle of the year?  He went on to say, I have to change everything Ive been doing the entire season. Everything out of the window, I had to start doing something completely newI truly believe thats why I got hurt. Me throwing 100 and being 6-7 is why I got hurt, but that contributed.  That was a very honest admission by Glasnow, but the foreign substance rule has been on the books for years. However, it had never really been enforced. Thinking about this latest MLB dustup, this writer has some thoughts about the construction of the baseball and the immediate future of the game as it relates to this current sticky controversy. Change The Baseball:  In 2018, private equity firm Seidler Equity Partners and Major League Baseball jointly purchased Rawlings, a sporting goods company from its parent company, Newell Brands, for $395M. Rawlings has traditionally manufactured major league baseballs. Peter Seidler is the chairman of the San Diego Padres. He founded Seidler Equity Partners and is their managing partner. Mr. Seidler is the grandson of former Los Angeles Dodgers baseball executive Walter OMalley. He is the nephew of Peter OMalley, also formerly an executive with the Dodgers. With the direct connection to MLB, it shouldnt be difficult to approve a new method to construct the baseball. To this writer, the easiest solution is to change the surface of the baseball. Surely, baseballs can be made with a rougher cowhide surface that has been treated in production to be less shiny, less sticky and less difficult to grip. Currently, the outer cover of a baseball is made of Number One Grade, alum-tanned full grained cowhide. Basically, Midwest Holstein cattle have been used to construct baseball coverings. Holsteins have been the cattle of choice because their hides have a preferred type grain. There are 86 inches of waxed red thread used to sew the cover of the baseball. Maybe science has a better way to stitch the cover that can contribute to improving the grip. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Umpire Jim Wolf #28 inspects the glove of pitcher Michael King #73 of ... [+] the New York Yankees in the fifth inning in a game between the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on June 23, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Whenever this old scout thinks of the administration of Major League Baseball, it brings to mind an old adage used by people in positions of authority. If you are in the midst of a fire someplace, start a fire somewhere else. MLB is in the midst of controversial labor negotiations with the Major League Baseball Players Association. Those negotiations will create a new Basic Agreement, a collective bargaining contract to replace the one that expires in December. Labor related discussions and negotiations between baseball franchise owners and players have been contentious for quite some time. Most recently, disagreements between players and MLB in the handling of the 2020 pandemic shortened baseball season were aired in public. Both sides added fuel to the fire by casting blame, publicly criticizing the other side and making far too public information and feelings that would have best been left private. Open airing of their critical issues did not suit either the owners or the players or enhance the positions of either side. Negotiations for the new labor agreement have been handled quietly so far. That doesnt mean there havent been questions asked and issues raised by inquiring individuals. As the clock ticks and the season continues, the final days of the current basic agreement will come further into public view. More scrutiny will come as the expiration of the existing labor agreement draws closer. Major League Baseball may not want the questions, concerns and opinions offered publicly regarding their new basic labor agreement. More talk about sticky substances being applied to baseballs may mean less talk on the more substantive problems inherent the game of baseball. More public talk may make it tougher to reach an equitable labor agreement. In other words, even though there might be a fire brewing in the labor relations world of baseball, starting another fire with sticky substance oversight might just keep the spotlight off the divisive issue of potential labor unrest. Conclusions:  Major League Baseball is trying to enforce a rule that has been on their books for years. With spin rates and trajectories of baseballs increasing and changing markedly, MLB leadership has decided to strictly enforce a ban on the use of foreign substances on baseballs. They are placing even more in-game responsibility on umpires. MLB is requiring umpires to check pitchers, and if so warranted, catchers equipment for foreign substances. These checks are to be conducted between innings. The new inspections seem to going along smoothly, with little controversy. Players found to be using foreign substances are to be removed from the game, suspended for 10 games with full pay, and the team may not replace the player on their roster. Perhaps a new type of cover for the baseball, one that is less slick and shiny, can replace the existing baseball cover. It is possible that the attention being given to the use of foreign substances on baseballs may divert attention from potentially contentious and highly charged negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between team owners and players.