On April 10th, Pineda started another game against the Red Sox. Pine tar in particular is said to improve a pitcher's grip in cold weather. Adding a foreign substance or modifying the surface of the ball in any way - scuffing it for example - alters the typical flight path and makes the ball more difficult for batters to track and make contact with. Grip it in different ways (along the seams, across the seams, or with the knuckles) and the flight path of the ball is altered in a predictable manner. The flight pattern of an unmodified baseball is predictable. The penalty for violating this rule is immediate ejection from the game, and a possible suspension. Subsection 8.02 clearly states: "The pitcher shall not apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball." That means any substance. Major League Baseball Rule 8.00 governs behavior for pitchers.
The better the grip on the bat, the more loosely a player can grip it, allowing for more "pop" and less stinging when contact is made with the ball. Since they can be quite slippery, league rules allow players to add up to 18 inches of pine tar to aid in grip. Major League Baseball still requires players to use wooden bats. You know how sticky tree sap is? If so, you have a general idea of how sticky pine tar can be.
#Crack open a cold one chemistry meme skin
Traditionally, it was used as a sealant for maritime purposes, but today it is also used in soaps, shampoos and treatments for certain skin conditions. Pine tar is a tacky substance produced by the high temperature carbonization of pine wood (duh). "Isn't pine tar traditionally used in baseball?" Allow us to explain. "What's the big deal?" you might be asking yourself right now. Umpire Gerry Davis inspected the noticeably darker area, and upon confirming it was pine tar, booted the Yankees star from the mound.