Crackdown on Foreign Substances: "Every Pitcher Will Be Checked, Every Game"!

 The time has come for MLB pitchers: Baseball is ready to crack down on the "sticky stuff" — the illegal foreign substances some pitchers have been using — that have sent spin rates off the charts, making some pitches simply unhittable.  Ken Rosenthal explains:

MLB is finalizing plans to enforce foreign-substance rules. @Ken_Rosenthal has the latest on what this means for baseball. pic.twitter.com/he2X2FNhCm

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 8, 2021

Umpires have been instructed to enforce the rules, and "the main concern is establishing a level playing field." 

Mike Trout on MLB's foreign substance issue:

“Some guys are a little more obvious than others. But it all comes down to -- I think [Trevor] Bauer said it yesterday, trying to be on a level playing field for everybody. I think that’s what the players want. That’s what I want.”

— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) June 8, 2021

Former AL MVP Josh Donaldson has spoken to the baseball powers-that-be about the controversy, and has even called out New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole specifically.

Tomorrow is going to be fun when Josh Donaldson steps in to face Gerrit Cole. Donaldson's quotes about Cole are at the 0:42-second mark. Cole's comments from today follow. https://t.co/04C443NztW

— danhayesmlb (@DanHayesMLB) June 8, 2021

Watch Cole's response here. And yes, that would DEFINITELY make Wednesday's Yankees/Twins game featuring Gerrit Cole and Josh Donaldson must-watch TV.