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Sports are in constant evolution, and baseball is not an exception. In Major League Baseball, the introduction of the "torpedo bat" has monopolized the conversation during the inaugural week, emerging as a weapon that is now supercharging offensive production.
And it's no surprise. Like something out of a Hollywood blockbuster, a New York Yankees physicist came up with the brilliant idea of thickening the barrel of the bat right where it usually connects with the ball.The result? A massive increase in home runs and a lot of debate about it.
An All-Star pitcher weighs in, but....
Philadelphia Phillies reliever Matt Strahm suggests a compromise: let hitters use "whatever bat they want," as long as pitchers can also bring back the pine tar to level the playing field against these new tools.
"Let them use whatever bat they want. Let's just allow pitchers to use whatever hitters have in the on deck circle. And not check us like we are criminals every time we walk on or off the field. I'm just a pitcher but I'm assuming better grip helps ya swing harder..." Strahm wrote in a post on his 'X' .
Strahm also argued that mandatory hand checks by umpires should be scrapped, saying they make pitchers feel persecuted and treated like "criminals."
With batting averages at historic lows and turnover rates skyrocketing - thanks in part to sticky substances - fans are calling for a ban on these substances, while pitchers argue that a little stickiness improves control and reduces walks and hit-by-pitches. Strahm's position? He's not clamoring for the return of the goo, calling it "a little overkill," but he's all for pine tar helping pitchers get a better grip.
Matt Strahm is tearing through his 10th MLB season and third with the Phillies, riding the high of a breakout year. Last season, he snagged his first All-Star nod, dazzling with a stingy 1.87 ERA, a razor-sharp 0.750 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts over 62 2/3 innings in 66 outings-a career-best performance that's still got everyone talking.