Joel Peralta

Earlier this week Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Joel Peralta was suspended after he was found to have Pine Tar on his glove.  Pine Tar is considered a foreign substance and he was suspended because you're not allowed to have any foreign substances aiding you during a game.  It is my understanding that Pine Tar which is sticky (hitters use it to grip bats all the time) does not help you throw the ball with added spin or validity.  They have Rosen on every major League mound, to help guys with grip and when combined with water that gets sticky as well.  Pine Tar is like Rosen when added to water.  In certain weather, in the hotter months it's not as easy to grip a ball and guys might need a little extra tackiness.  As long as it's not doctoring the ball with scuff marks or spit to make it spin or move, differently the rule may be a little overblown.  As far as getting a competitive edge as long as its done on the field of play I don't think anyone has a problem with it.  Joel Peralta spent a year with the Washington Nationals and he had teammates that knew he had a tendency to do this so they went to their manager Davey Johnson who asked the umpire to check Peralta's glove.  The Nationals aren't his teammates anymore, now their competitors trying to get the edge.