Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Trevor Bauer Has an Elaborate Solution for MLB’s Sticky Situation

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball dropped a memo to teams and players that changes would be coming for pitchers and foreign substances used for increased spin rate.

One of the more vocal people on this subject has been Dodgers starter Trevor Bauer. The right-hander gave his thoughts on the new rules enforcement policies soon after the news started breaking yesterday. Adding to his tweets, Bauer was interviewed by the SportsNet LA pregame team prior to Tuesday night tilt against the Phillies.



Undoubtedly, he brought the heat when asked for his opinion on how the MLB has handled the issue this season.

“It’s a mess. Typical MLB fashion, they didn’t get a whole about this right.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5a3Q2Ped3Q?start=53

Bauer’s Solution

That being said, Bauer did provide a very creative solution on how MLB can level the playing field for batters and protect pitchers from a rash of injuries due to having to alter their mechanics and grips.

“The only way to do this is to make the ball somewhat sticky and then you have to ban everything except for rosin or whatever.”

Bauer believes that a substance should be allowed that will be applied to all the balls in a consistent fashion. How’s that going to happen? Glad you asked…

“Create a machine…when the balls come out of the box, they run down a conveyor belt into a little house. It’s sprayed from all sides with a certain approved substance. Whether it’s Firm Grip or whatever else. Let’s agree upon that substance. The ball comes out the other end and gets dumped into the ball bucket. Its good to go for 20 or 30 minutes…you do it every single inning. That way, every ball that comes out has a consistent feel to it.”

Finally, Bauer capped off his proposed solution with a protocol to ensure pitchers coming off the mound don’t have anything besides the agreed upon substance on their pitching hand.

“When pitchers come in, there’s a little swab and you swab their hands-similar to how you do it at TSA and you send it off to the lab. If there’s anything besides the approved substances on your hand, you can be retroactively suspended. That’s the only way to do it.”

The only problem with the plan, which Bauer noted earlier in the interview, is that MLB has days, not weeks, to give everyone a clean shake.

NEXT: Cody Bellinger Finally Placed on the Injured List

Eric Eulau

Born and raised in Ventura, not "Ven-CH-ura", California. Favorite Dodger Stadium food is the old school chocolate malt with the wooden spoon. Host of the Dodgers Nation 3 Up, 3 Down Podcast.

8 Comments

    1. Apparently his DNA won’t allow him to shut up. He’s not exactly mowing down batters. So far, I am not very impressed with him on the mound. IMHO, he isn’t earning that fat paycheck yet.

  1. Pitchers all across MLB is speaking out of this sudden decision by Manfred in the middle of the season, just that he is the most outspoken. Until they get injured like Glasgnow they get vocal…..others are only followers. At least Bauer voices his ideas and solutions instead only complaining. He’s willing to have an even playing field that can be agreed upon by both sides. If inventors can make spray sanitizer booths why not a sticky spray module? MLB got to think outside the box instead of just putting all the onus on inconsistencies of today’s umps.

  2. I like any ideas Trevor, I’m game. How about using something better than what you have now. Like a different fabric and seams that are not hand tied, or stitched. With the seams hand tied it will only make room for errors. This is why you need a new ball after every play or when the ball comes in contact with the bat or ground. I am not sure how but I will listen. Your right about MLB jumping the gun. Good luck

  3. Hey my Mom loved those Malts. Do they still have them? Not like we can catch a game anytime soon. She and my Dad moved away about 30+ years ago. About 220 miles away. I now live in Arizona. I’ll will be a Dodger fan for life. I practically grew up in Dodger stadium as a kid. Thanks to my dad, whom worked security, moonlighting from LAPD. Those were the days. You stirred up a ton of good memories for me. Thanks.

  4. Trevor’s proposal isn’t bad. Give every pitcher the same feel. What is horrific is the timing by MLB to enforce this now half way thru the season. Are they nuts? Yes they are! Hope Dodgers win World Series again – as I don’t see baseball in 2022

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button