The student news site of Davis High School

The Dart

The student news site of Davis High School

The Dart

The student news site of Davis High School

The Dart

Favorite Meals Made by My Mother
Brooklynn Hixon, Journalist • April 25, 2024
Stop Vaping
Julia Adams, Journalist • April 25, 2024
Top 10 Day Date Ideas
Bella Edwards, Journalist • April 23, 2024

The Foreign Substance Dilemma in MLB: Fair Play Under Fire

https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2021%2F6%2F16%2F22534978%2Ftrevor-bauer-foreign-substance-enforcement-mlb-los-angeles-dodgers
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/16/22534978/trevor-bauer-foreign-substance-enforcement-mlb-los-angeles-dodgers

Foreign substances, let’s dive into the real deal happening in Major League Baseball the sticky situation around foreign substances. We’re talking about those grip enhancers and tweaked baseballs that turn the game upside down. You’ve probably heard of big names like Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer being under the microscope. We will be checking out how these substances mess with the game, what MLB is doing about it, and the umpires, who are the substance police, making sure things stay legit inning after inning.

Okay, so these foreign substances? They’re like secret weapons for pitchers. They make the ball super sticky and easier to throw with crazy spins. Imagine trying to hit a ball that now moves 24 inches instead of 18 inches, that’s the difference. between having some sort of sticky substance and not and 6 inches in a game like baseball is the deference between a strike out and a ball put in play.

But here’s the issue this unfair advantage messes up the game. Records set by players using these tricks are shady at best. And when some players have this edge while others don’t, it’s like playing a video game with cheat codes. The whole point of MLB is fair competition, and these substances are wrecking that vibe. Fans are losing trust, players are getting frustrated, and the game we love is at stake.

Now, picture this after every inning, umpires are checking pitchers for these foreign substances. It’s like a pit stop in a race, but instead of changing tires, they’re ensuring no one’s pulling a fast one.

Story continues below advertisement

These umpires are the unsung heroes, the line between fair and foul. They’re making sure the game stays clean and players play by the rules. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.

Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer are not just players but symbols of this whole drama. Cole’s spin rate dropped when MLB started cracking down on substances. It’s like taking away a superhero’s powers he’s not the same player anymore. On the flip side, Bauer’s bold attitude sparked debates. Is he a rulebreaker or just a guy pushing the boundaries? These guys are showing us players’ real struggles in this sticky situation.

MLB isn’t sitting on the sidelines. They’ve brought in strict checks and penalties, and they’re teaming up with tech whizzes to catch these sneaky moves. It’s a balancing act, though. They want to keep the game fair but don’t want to kill the vibe of pitchers bringing their A-game. It’s a work in progress, but they’re trying to strike that balance.

So, there you have it, the lowdown on the foreign substance drama in MLB. Umpires are the unsung heroes, players like Cole and Bauer are caught up in the storm, and MLB is trying to keep the ship afloat. It’s a wild ride, but at the heart of it all, it’s about preserving the spirit of the game we all love. Here’s hoping MLB finds the right mix so that, in the end, the love for baseball shines through, no sticky situations attached.

I think this has had an impact on all levels of the sport, even though it has only made headlines in the MLB. It has affected me in the way that I now pay way more attention to my spin. Since all of the MLB stories on the substances I have went out and bought technology that will tell me my spin rate and many other things that helps me be a better pitcher so all though it was a whole to do in the MLB it has really helped me focus on my spin rate and help me make better pitches. Overall it was just a really interesting thing to me and I hope this article helps you understand all you need to know about foreign gsubstances.

More to Discover
About the Contributor
Andrew Filimoehala
Andrew Filimoehala, Journalist
I am Andrew Filimoehala, a senior at Davis High School. Some things about me are that I play baseball here at Davis High School and am excited to write stories on some of the sports here at Davis High. Another thing that I enjoy doing is going on vacation with my family. If I could pick a vacation to go on right now, I would go to Disneyland because Disneyland is just a getaway from all the stress and is truly a happy place. Another thing I like doing with my family is mountain biking, so that is just a little bit about me.