http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle18182197/
Quote:
According to many current and former players, it is common for pitchers to use pine tar or some other substance in cold weather to help them grip the ball, despite the prohibition. Most claim it does not alter the flight of the ball. Some use a substance called Firm Grip or Bull Frog sunscreen. The consensus is that most pitchers use a foreign substance in cold weather.
On April 10, the brownish substance on the heel of Pineda’s right hand was captured on television. After the game the Red Sox indicated that Pineda should either give up the practice, or be subtle about it.
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So it's an illegal practice, but it's assumed most pitchers use some sort of substance in cold weather? And the Red Sox are more annoyed that this guy wasn't subtle about the pine tar use rather than the actual use itself?