For decades, batters have been using pine tar to help with securely gripping the bat. And in that same time period, pitchers have been using rosin to help with their grips. Both substances provided a safer and more effective way to play baseball, but both are used exclusively. Batters use pine tar, pitchers use rosin. And it’s hurting the game.
It’s time for pine tar to be legalized.
MLB has put themselves in a tough position, that can only be remedied by the statement above. This is because of an article posted by the Los Angeles Times on the substances provided by Bubba Harkins. With allegations that MLB has knowledge of pitchers like Gerit Cole, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and others using the substance, the biggest baseball league in the world is left with 3 options:
1) Ignore the situation and go about business as usual.
2) Ban this substance, hurting the game, and unnecessarily putting players at risk for injury.
3) Legalize the substance, which in my opinion, is the right thing to do.
IGNORE THE SITUATION
Many fans have a problem with how Major League Baseball handled the steroid era, while still inciting players to perform with PEDs in the late 90s. By ignoring the situation at hand, baseball would should that it continues to lack behind in innovation and resourcefulness while playing a passive hand to the modern issues of the game.
With Rob Manfred running the show, baseball will never be atop the NFL or NBA in either innovation or resourcefulness, but can only lack further behind if they don’t step up to the plate and legalize pine tar.
AT RISK FOR INJURY
It’s no secret that batters are displeased at the idea of a 95+ mph fastball whizzing past their head. It incites brawls every season, and no team is more than 2 pitches away from a multi-player suspension type of fight. With their failure to legalize pine tar, MLB is forcing young pitchers away from a substance that could help with their control. These young pitchers, afraid of getting a suspension for using the substance and already nervous about playing on a major league field, are more likely to throw way-side and wild pitches. With these young arms only getting stronger and throwing harder, the real danger of a season-ending injury is only more realistic at the major league level.
The disparity in accuracy of those not using the substance only limits what those young pitchers can accomplish, and baseball is sub-consciously rewarding players who already use the substance. After all, better stats leads to better contracts and more playing time, while accuracy has shown to be a big factor in the efficiency of professional pitchers.
LEGALIZE PINE TAR
It’s time to legalize the substance. By creating and allowing a legalized pine tar substance, players can safely and more accurately compete at the major league level. Most batters would rather have a pitcher who is around the plate anyway, and young arms would develop into better pitchers. This would in draw more young fans, because future stars create future fans.
Manfred and the MLB needs to understand that the legalization of pine tar would create a safer and more exciting game. Sharper curveballs, painted fastballs and late-breaking sliders are elite pitches that only exemplify the artistic and athletic beauty of the game. By legalizing pine tar, baseball could finally take a step towards exciting play, while better guaranteeing the safety of it’s players.
It’s a win-win for baseball, and it’s time to legalize pine tar. Now the question is: How?
This article was written by TK. To contact TK about this article, email digitalzsports@gmail.com or Follow TK on Twitter @tyler_kozeal.