MLB Warns Of More Suspensions Over Foreign Substances in 2022

Much to many pitchers' chagrin, major league baseball's crackdown on the sticky stuff isn't going away. It seems that pitchers were finding ways around it late last season, as spin rates soared again late in September and into the playoffs.

After starting the in-game searching of pitchers' gloves, hats and other paraphernalia in June of last season, there was an outcry from many. Tyler Glasnow even blamed his season-ending injury on the sudden change in rules. 

Now, according to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, MLB says it's going to step up the crackdown even further in 2022. The inspections will be different this year.

In addition to searching pitchers' hats, gloves and belts, "beginning in spring training games this weekend and throughout the season, umpires will inspect a pitcher’s hand, top and bottom, when conducting random between-innings inspections."

Wiping off hands prior to an inspection could lead to ejection

It was revealed that pitchers were finding other places to store the foreign substances, so searching the pitchers' hands has become their No. 1 target. And the league will not make it easy for perpetrators to hide that fact: “If an umpire observes a pitcher attempt to wipe off his hands prior to an inspection he may be subject to immediate ejection.”

The memo also revealed that: “If an umpire’s inspection reveals that the pitcher’s hand is unquestionably sticky or shows unmistakable signs of the presence of a foreign substance, the umpire will conclude that the pitcher was applying a foreign substance to the baseball for the purpose of gaining an unfair competitive advantage.” As was the case last season, the pitcher would be ejected and suspended automatically. 

Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports