this makes sense. Plus the article notes it protects the batters by reducing wild pitches. I don't see how you can argue that it's OK for batters to use substances like pine tar to improve bat grip but it's not ok for pitchers to use it to improve ball grip. It doesn't sound like there's evidence that these substances are altering the pitches. Come up with a standard concoction and make it legal for everyone to use it.
Well the standard concoction is the rosin bag, isn't it?
It’s not hard to argue the difference. One only applies to the grip on the hitting implement, the other can reportedly enhance spin rates, which has been the target of MLB rules since the outlawing of the spitball.
There's two different types of substances in your post.
1. Friction Reducers like the SpitballYou have way less control of a spitball than throwing a normal pitch. Spit didn't just increase spin, it makes the spin and the delivery of the ball widely unpredictable, like a sped up knuckleball, because the ball slides off the spit finger. I still remember one I successfully threw while goofing around with a teammate that had this sick armside dive that probably would have killed a batter if one was standing in.
https://www.wikihow.com/Throw-a-Spitball Since the friction between your fingers and the ball gives the ball its spin, you can also keep the goop on your finger while you throw. Something slippery, like spit, will reduce the friction of the pitch, achieving a similar effect. It's not illegal to lick your fingers before throwing a pitch.[3]
2. Friction "Increasers" like Pine TarThese are foreign substances that improve their grip and spin rate.
So as I understand it, Pine Tar doesn't make the game more dangerous (like spit or Vaseline or sunscreen) but does make the pitcher better. And as has been pointed out, Pine Tar probably makes the game safer on hot days.
