Joe Girardi: Pitchers should be able to use grip-enhancing substance
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi says pitchers should be allowed to use substances to enhance their grip on the ball.
"I believe there should be a substance behind the mound for every pitcher to use," Girardi told reporters Tuesday, according to WFUV's Anthony Pucik.
Will Smith of the Milwaukee Brewers and Brian Matusz of the Baltimore Orioles have been suspended in the past week after being caught with foreign substances on their arms.
MLB rules dictate that the pitcher "shall not apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball," but the use of grip-enhancing substances has long been an open secret in the game.
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"Hitters know pitchers are all using something," Girardi added, according to the Wall Street Journal's Daniel Barbarisi.
Last season, Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda was suspended for 10 games after he was caught using pine tar during a game against the Boston Red Sox.
On Sunday, Red Sox manager John Farrell shared similar thoughts, saying, "I would like to see an approved substance that pitchers can use, because, when we take a manufactured baseball, and rub it with dirt, it's going to create a slippery feeling to it."
- Dan Gartland
