It would be interesting to see how much impact this is having on the game overall. Seems to me this is low hanging fruit to inject more offense into the game, regardless of how much of a boost it is giving to pitchers overall.
Hey pitchers, stop cheating...offense goes up. Literally accomplished by the umps paying attention, or by suspending guys after video like this comes out.
Seems like it would be a decent option, because instead of more rules-tinkering it’s technically just enforcing existing rules which have fallen out of favor.
On the other hand, if it’s as widespread as I’ve heard anecdotally, it’s going to be hard to do.
Bauer was openly asking people to contact him on how to increase the spin rate on his pitches a few years ago. He pointed out that the Astros were accomplishing this and saying it’s basically impossible to do without a sticky substance , and it seems like he’s finally started doing it just as others were.
They say Cole of the NYY is gonna have to figure something out as he really benefitted.
Ivermectin Man
First offense it is. It is also going to hurt relievers more. You most likely going to catch a starter early in a game. Then he can’t come back for 10 games is going to really hurt your pen and depth. It will start the process at least. You can’t just start executing people when you basically said I don’t care you cheat for years now.
Coppy
Tapate50 (06-02-2021)
Btw- it may explain Gausmans issue with the Braves. If they found out and he had to quit, then it would explain his sudden drop from effectiveness then suddenly back to being a strong option in SF.
He’s been mentioned a good bit as a user of the bull frog/pine tar
Ivermectin Man