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LB pitchers using illegal substances during games is a practice that has been the norm for decades in Major League Baseball. It's one of those embarassing dark secrets that pitchers have gotten caught doing multiple times.
During Wednesday's game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the umpire suddenly approached Scherzer for allegedly having a sticky substance in his glove.
The Mets pitcher seemed like he wanted to fight everybody as he attempted to explain himself. In the end, the umpire did eject Scherzer after the star got angry for getting the indication to change gloves. This was a major tell sign that something was off, the umpire saw right through Scherzer.
The sticky substance rule updated by MLB
Before March 2022, many pitchers using sticky substances enjoyed looser rules that allowed them to use these sticky substances. However, the rule became a lot more complicated for pitchers during the final week of March, 2022.
Since then, Scherzer becomes the third pitcher to get ejected over this new rule.
These sticky substances clearly have a major effect in ball rotation that becomes an evident advantage pitchers have on players at bat. If any umpire decides the player has violated any rule, they eject the pitcher immediately without any exceptions.
If pitchers are spotted trying to clean their hands during an inspection, they will be instantly ejected.
Inspections have become random and they can happen either between innings or during the game. This rule has become so strict that it has become incredibly difficult for pitchers to use these sticky substances without getting caught by the umpire.
The only substance that is permitted for pitchers to use is rosin bag on their hand, wrist and forearm in order to assist in sweat management. However, they cannot apply to their gloves under any circumstance.
Also, there is a small wet rag with water they can apply to their pitching hand but they must always dry their hand completely before thouching the ball they will pitch. It seems Scherzer didn't respect these rules.
