https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2021/06/18/the-saturday-survey-139/
THE SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers
The Saturday Survey offers the opportunity to weigh in on a relevant topic.
So here is a poll to gauge the pulse of our passionate readers.
Today, we center the discussion on Major League Baseball?s ruling on the ?the sticky stuff.?
As always, we welcome your comments, so please vote and then submit your reasons (4 sentences max!) for how you voted in the usual comment box. Don?t forget to come back later and view the results!
The concern over pitchers using advanced products to increase velocity, spin rate and movement became public 3 years ago. However, MLB ignored the problem until a recent game in which the St. Louis Cardinals? manager, Mike Schildt, spoke out, calling it baseball?s ?dirty little secret.? Within weeks, MLB came up with a new policy in conjunction with the umpires? union. They did not consult the Players? Association.
The use of foreign substances on baseballs has been going on for years and the rules were never enforced. The last time a pitcher was punished for using illegal substances was 7 years ago.
Meanwhile, MLB has changed the composition and feel of the baseball twice in 3 years. (They own Rawlings which makes the baseballs.) They have never consulted the MLBPA in advance of any changes. The latest was this year when players first handled the new baseballs in spring training. They were ?deadened? and pitchers universally claimed that they were harder to grip, especially in desert conditions and cold weather. Many have said that they were forced to change their grips as a result.
However, it is believed that this year?s overall offensive drought is primarily due to the advantage pitchers have in using products that increase velocity, spin rate and ball movement. It is estimated that 80%-90% of all pitchers use something in-game.
Was MLB?s decision to give a 1-week warning to teams before punishing pitchers (and their organizations) who used illegal sticky stuff the right thing to do?
Should they have consulted the Players? Association first?
Should MLB have waiting until the off-season before announcing changes that would impact a pitcher?s mechanics?
Should MLB and umpires have been enforcing rules regularly before all of this happened?
Is it fair that MLB routinely changes the manufacturing specs of baseballs without consulting the players?
Is cheating really cheating if the rules are never enforced? And if they were, would we have the problem we have today?
Does MLB have a solid plan ensuring that evidence will clearly prove that pitchers, and no other team member, are the only guilt party if caught?
Your choice today is to decide if MLB handled the new rules on sticky stuff appropriately. Is it the right decision? Is it hastily thought out? Did they take into account all of the factors?
You may select only 1 answer. And comments are always welcome, but please keep to the maximum of 4 sentences.
1. Did MLB handle the new rules on sticky stuff appropriately?
2. MLB did a great job with the new rule.
3. A good first attempt but there?s still work to do.
4. MLB has opened up a can of worms.
5. MLB?s new rule is horrible and won?t work well.
VOTE
