Why Do Baseball Players Put Pine Tar on Their Bats?

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Baseball players have applied pine tar to their bats for decades, but why do they do this?

Pine tar is a sticky substance produced from pine tree sap, can enhance a player’s grip on the bat. 

Players frequently engage in this behavior, and many of them think it offers them an advantage at the plate.

As per MLB rules, players can add up to 18 inches of pine tar on their bat handle. 

This is due to the fact that a player can control where the bat’s sweet spot makes contact with the ball by maintaining a firm grip on the bat. 

Better contact increases power, and eventually, more hits can come as a result.

The usage of pine tar in baseball is restricted, though. 

Pine tar, for instance, should not be put above the bat’s label since it may transfer to the ball and alter its trajectory. 

Also, if a player is found using excessive amounts of pine tar, they may be kicked out of the game. 

Despite these rules, many players still apply pine tar on their bats to give themselves an advantage at the plate.

History of Pine Tar Usage

Baseball has used pine tar for a very long time and has a long history in the game. 

Yet as time passed, players realized they could also use pine tar to strengthen their grip on the bat. 

Several players began applying pine tar to their bats in the 1950s in order to improve their grip and hit the ball harder.

Pine tar has never been particularly popular among players despite being a contentious chemical in baseball. 

For instance, George Brett of the Kansas City Royals hit a home run in 1983 that was later overturned because the opposition side claimed there was too much pine tar on his bat.

The incident gave rise to a discussion regarding pine tar use in baseball that has persisted to this day.

Pine tar’s advantages for bats

Enhanced Grip

Baseball players apply pine tar on their bats primarily to increase their grip. Players can keep a solid grip on their bat even when their hands are moist or damp, thanks to the stickiness of pine tar.

Players can increase their chances of making solid contact with the ball by improving their grip on the bat, allowing them to swing with more power and control.

Pine tar also lessens the amount of slipping that takes place when a player swings a bat. 

Players with tiny hands or those who tend to hold their bats tightly could find this very useful.

Less Vibration

Pine tar can also lessen the vibration that happens when a player makes contact with the ball, which is another advantage of applying it on a bat.

The bat may vibrate when a ball is struck off-center, which could be uncomfortable or even painful for the player. 

Players can lessen these vibrations by using pine tar, improving the comfort of their swings and lowering their chance of injury.

Pine tar can also aid in preventing a player’s bat from slipping out of their hands during a swing. This is crucial for athletes batting in humid or damp conditions since moisture can make the bat slippery and challenging to handle.

Pine tar on a baseball bat has numerous advantages, which are all readily apparent. Players can swing with more assurance and control, improving their chances of success at the plate, by enhancing grip and minimizing vibration.

Regulations and Rules

MLB guidelines

Depending on how it is utilized, using pine tar in baseball is either permitted or prohibited. Batters are permitted to apply pine tar on the handle of their bat, per MLB regulations. 

According to the official guidelines, the bat handle may be covered or treated with any substance to improve the grip up to 18 inches from its end.

The 18-inch rule, which states that pine tar can only be on the bat’s lowest 18 inches, or grip end, must be followed by major league baseball players. 

The usage of pine tar by a pitcher is likewise prohibited, and if pine tar is present on a batter’s bat closer to the barrel end, that batter is in violation of MLB regulations.

Rules for High Schools and Colleges

Baseball rules for high school and college play differ from those of Major League Baseball. Pine tar may be used in high school, but it must be applied so that it extends no higher than 18 inches from the knob. A player will be called out if they use more than 18 inches of pine tar.

The rules for college baseball are comparable to those for high school. Pine tar can be used, but only up to an 18-inch thickness. A player will be removed from the game if they are found to be using more than 18 inches of pine tar.

All participants must understand the rules governing the usage of pine tar in baseball. Penalties and dismissal from the game are possible outcomes of breaking these rules. 

Players should constantly check with their league or organization to ensure they are following the regulations.

Different Batting Aids

While many baseball players prefer to use pine tar to strengthen their grip on their bats, it is not the only chemical that can be employed. Players may use the following different batting aids:

Baseball gloves

Baseball players frequently wear batting gloves as a piece of equipment to increase their bat control. Players can have a solid grip on their bat even when their hands are sweaty because to the sticky surface that is provided by the material from which they are produced. 

Batting gloves also offer some degree of hand protection, which can aid in avoiding blisters and calluses.

Gorilla Gold Grip Enhancer

A baseball bat’s handle can be coated with a material like wax called Gorilla Gold Grip Enhancer to help with grip. It is non-toxic and manufactured entirely of natural components. Gorilla Gold is especially helpful when it’s rainy or humid outside because those conditions make a bat’s handle slick.

Stick of Pine Tar

A pine tar stick is a little, transportable jar of pine tar that may be rubbed right onto a baseball bat’s handle. 

It is a practical choice for gamers who favor utilizing a pre-applied pine tar towel over applying pine tar themselves. Players who travel regularly may find pine tar sticks to be beneficial as they are simple to pack into a bag or suitcase.

Baseball players who want to strengthen their grip on their bat have many solutions at their disposal. 

While pine tar is a well-liked option, there are other options as well. Players can test out several aids to find the one that works best for them.

Conclusion

Baseball players coat their bats with pine tar to improve their grips during batting. A greater hold on the bat is necessary for a solid swing, and pine tar, a sticky material derived from pine trees, helps to offer this grip. Even when the hands are sweaty or damp, the batter can keep a strong grip on the bat because to the pine tar’s tacky nature.

Several baseball instructors and players not only permit but also endorse the use of pine tar. Baseball players have long taken this steroid, which is lawful. However, a player is only permitted to apply 18 inches of pine tar from the bottom of the bat handle to their bat.

Some athletes choose to apply pine tar simply to their gloves, while others do it directly to the bat. Personal taste will determine whether to apply pine tar or gloves to the bat. Nonetheless, the majority of athletes agree that applying pine tar to the bat improves grip and swing control.

In conclusion, baseball players can enhance their grip and control of the bat with pine tar in a quick and easy manner. It is a chemical that is legal, has been used for many years in baseball, and is supported by many coaches and players. Players can improve their chances of making firm contact with the ball and driving it farther by applying pine tar.