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Auggie

(31,802 posts)
Tue Jun 15, 2021, 09:37 AM Jun 2021

What is Spider Tack, and why do MLB pitchers love to cheat by using it?

John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle / June 14, 2021

It’s about supercharged formulas that dramatically helped alter the balance of power between pitcher and hitter — we’ve come a long way from Gaylord Perry’s Vaseline and KY Jelly — and the most notable of these substances is an extremely sticky, web-like pasty material called Spider Tack.

Spider Tack was not developed for pitchers. The rosin-based chemical mixture was developed for power lifters to keep a tighter hold on Atlas stones when hoisting these globe-like mini-boulders (up to 353 pounds) in Strongman competitions.

Why do pitchers use Spider Tack?

It’s one of the most effective illegal substances, and it allows for improved grip and friction, which can markedly accelerate the spin rate of pitches.

Why is spin rate important?

The faster the spin, the more breaking pitches move and the more velocity pitchers get on their fastballs, which means more swings and misses, more strikeouts and more dominance.

LINK (AND PROBABLE PAYWALL): https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/What-is-Spider-Tack-and-why-do-MLB-pitchers-love-16247361.php

I guess we'll be hearing a lot about Spider Tack in the near future, as well as other commercially available products such as Pelican Grip Dip, Grip Boost, Tyrus Sticky Grip, Monkey Hands and Cramer Firm Grip. However the author notes even distilled soda such as Coca-Cola can be used—essentially anything with a tacky feeling.

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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What is Spider Tack, and why do MLB pitchers love to cheat by using it? (Original Post) Auggie Jun 2021 OP
Hi-tech spit. marble falls Jun 2021 #1
FYI: A weighted substance and a tacky substance are a little different. Auggie Jun 2021 #3
Ouch! Anon-C Jun 2021 #2
I understand MLB is quietly debating adopting a 'sticky' ball and Rawlings is good to go Brother Buzz Jun 2021 #4
I have always wondered why baseball didn't adopt a "sticky" ball. Then ANYONE using ANYTHING Ferrets are Cool Jun 2021 #6
Bet pitchers will use extra tack even with a "sticky" ball Auggie Jun 2021 #10
That could very well be true, but at least, at that point, there would be a clear Ferrets are Cool Jun 2021 #13
Sports are full of cheaters Ferrets are Cool Jun 2021 #5
Next thing you know they'll be deflating the baseballs. sop Jun 2021 #7
+1 Auggie Jun 2021 #11
Why 4Q2u2 Jun 2021 #8
Anyone remember Lester Hayes and Stickum? Blue Owl Jun 2021 #9
Yep ... Auggie Jun 2021 #12
And now they just use gloves that stick more than Stickum did. Ferrets are Cool Jun 2021 #14

Auggie

(31,802 posts)
3. FYI: A weighted substance and a tacky substance are a little different.
Tue Jun 15, 2021, 10:02 AM
Jun 2021

Tack is for spin rate.

Weight on one side of the ball -- whether it be spit, vaseline, KY Jelly -- causes the ball to move in unexpected ways. Slippery substances can lead to less spin rate, like a fastball with knuckleball action. It might also alter wind resistance.

Brother Buzz

(37,814 posts)
4. I understand MLB is quietly debating adopting a 'sticky' ball and Rawlings is good to go
Tue Jun 15, 2021, 10:20 AM
Jun 2021

Japan and South Korea are already using it.

And if MLB did adopt a factory sticky ball, would Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud just ride into the sunset?


Ferrets are Cool

(21,957 posts)
6. I have always wondered why baseball didn't adopt a "sticky" ball. Then ANYONE using ANYTHING
Tue Jun 15, 2021, 10:23 AM
Jun 2021

could be suspended. Now it's just a big gray area.

Ferrets are Cool

(21,957 posts)
13. That could very well be true, but at least, at that point, there would be a clear
Tue Jun 15, 2021, 02:29 PM
Jun 2021

delineation of where the line has been drawn. As it is now, no one knows what is too much or too little....well, they probably KNOW what is too much, but they can pretend ignorance.

Ferrets are Cool

(21,957 posts)
5. Sports are full of cheaters
Tue Jun 15, 2021, 10:22 AM
Jun 2021

especially team sports. The saying "if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying" didn't arise from nothingness.

They are taught to win at all cost from an early age. This of course, doesn't apply to all, but IMO, the majority.

 

4Q2u2

(1,406 posts)
8. Why
Tue Jun 15, 2021, 10:30 AM
Jun 2021

200 Million Dollar Guaranteed contract. Same reason for HGH and Steroids'.
The margin of talent is so slim that any and all edges are looked for. Big money will do that in any business.


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