MLB asks umps for more random checks for sticky substances

Major League Baseball is asking umpires to make more random checks of pitchers for sticky substances after watching its crackdown become less effective late last season.

MLB instituted regular checks last June 21 for grip aids. Seattle's Héctor Santiago was ejected on June 27 and Arizona's Caleb Smith was tossed on Aug. 18, and both received 10-game suspensions.

“After an initial dip in spin rates as a result of the periodic checks, unfortunately the data showed that spin rates started to rise toward the end of the season as players grew accustomed to the circumstances of routine umpire checks,” MLB Senior Vice President of On-Field Operations Mike Hill wrote in a memorandum Friday to team owners, executives and managers, and all major and minor league players.

“As a result, umpires have been instructed to be more vigilant and unpredictable in the timing and scope of their checks during the 2022 season," he said.

The memorandum, first reported by Sports Illustrated, was obtained by The Associated Press.

Last season, umpires checked all starting pitchers multiple times and all relievers either at the end of his first inning or when removed, whichever occurred first. Caps, gloves and fingertips were checked.

“We are working with the umpires in an effort to make inspections less invasive,” Hill wrote. “Rather than focusing on uniforms and belts, umpires have been given additional guidance to help them determine whether a pitcher’s hand or fingers contain a foreign substance in violation of the rules.”

“An umpire checking a pitcher for foreign substances will use his thumb to check for stickiness on the pitcher’s thumb, index finger, middle finger, and palm," Hill wrote.

While the timing of checks with be more random, it