Phillies' Matt Strahm calls for pitchers to use pine tar again in response to torpedo bat craze

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Torpedo bats have taken the baseball world by storm, and one MLB pitcher wants to bring back a competitive edge for hurlers.

Pitchers used pine tar for a better grip on pitches, but the fad grew to the point Major League Baseball cracked down on foreign substances in 2021.

Pitchers were becoming too dominant with the sticky stuff. 

The substance is used to increase spin rates, which causes more break on the ball, leading to less offense.

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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.  (Reggie Hildred/Imagn Images)

After the New York Yankees set an MLB record with 18 home runs in their first four games, several of which were hit with torpedo bats, one pitcher wants to level the playing field.

"Let them use whatever bat they want. Let’s just allow pitchers to use whatever hitters have in the on deck circle," Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm posted on X this week. "And not check us like we are criminals every time we walk on or off the field. I’m just a pitcher but I’m assuming better grip helps ya swing harder…"

Umpires check pitchers before they enter games and between innings for substances. The inspections have led to several ejections, and, in turn, 10-game suspensions. "Spider Tack" became a popular fad, but pitchers have often used a combination of their own sweat and rosin to create stickiness.

Strahm added that "some of that stuff was a bit much," but added, "just whatever a hitter can use to grip a bat better we can use too."

The torpedo bats have a barrel in a different location.