Stephanie Springer researches ways MLB might make baseballs tacky without rubbing mud on them.
But let’s be honest: The inconsistencies and unpredictability behind this longstanding tradition also add to our frustration. The timing of the application and the amount that is applied varies enormously from ballpark to ballpark. This is noticeable both in terms of the appearance of the ball, which has implications in a hitter’s ability to see the ball, and the feel of the ball, which can lead to variance in a pitcher’s control. Underlying this is the concern for safety, as a slick ball slipping out of a pitcher’s hand at a high velocity can have devastating consequences.
A fall out of a consistently tacky ball would be to remove the pine tar from the pitcher’s arsenal. It looks like the pitcher is cheating when he uses pine tar, but it’s just to get a better grip.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2z6cbFr
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