Major League Baseball’s decision to crack down on the use of sticky substances by pitchers has led to an increase in ejections and suspensions. The policy, which was introduced in 2021 in response to concerns about unfair advantages gained by pitchers using substances like Spider Tack and various glues, has resulted in the ejection of several players, including Mets closer Edwin Díaz.
While some pitchers may feel that the policy is arbitrary and subjective, many players believe that the increase in ejections is a sign that pitchers are adapting to the new rules. MLB umpires are tasked with checking pitchers for foreign substances before and during games, and any pitcher found to be in violation of the rules faces a 10-game suspension.
Díaz, who was ejected for having a sticky substance on his pitching hand, received a 10-game suspension, becoming the second player to be disciplined this season. Despite Díaz’s claims that he only used rosin, sweat, and dirt, umpire Vic Carapazza believed that his hand was too sticky and made the decision to eject him.
While some pitchers may have concerns about the ambiguity of the rules and the potential for ejections based on subjective criteria, most players seem to be adjusting to the new policy. The league maintains that any substance that provides an unfair advantage, even if it is technically legal like rosin, is prohibited.
Overall, players and umpires alike believe that the new policy is working as intended, with only a small number of suspensions handed out in the past three years. While there may be some gray areas in the rules, most players are willing to abide by them in order to maintain the integrity of the game. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how players continue to adapt to the new guidelines and whether any further changes will be made in the future.
