intradasting. I always thought it wasn't allowed because it gave the bat more "bite" on a slightly off hit ball.

It would actually give you a disadvantage which is why MLB overruled the ruling on the field and allowed for the home run. The rule was later amended.

Think of it this way: The rule was repealed. How many bats today are covered in pine tar? I can't think of many. I would think it would be a lot if it actually made the ball go further. And if it did provide an advantage like that, the rule wouldn't be repealed.

So in summary, pine tar discolors the ball, can give the pitcher an advantage, or can give the batter an advantage, but maybe not. And without the rule in place, nothing changed.

This sounds like a case of baseball government intruding too far into the private lives of pitchers and batters.

That's exactly what I thought

Lou Pinella grounds out to 3rd on the only part of the youtube game I saw.

Good read. I can't believe I had never heard this side of the story.

Thanks for posting!

Good story

It was to help them grip the bat. The owners didn't want it because the pine tar would get on the ball and they would have to throw out the ball. Yes, they were that cheap back then.

Now if the ball even touches the ground its thrown out.

Billy Butler will look good in pinstripes for 2015 season.

What a great read.

Man, that is cool as hell. I love that George didn't hold any grudge against him.

Has nothing or little to do with the color of the ball. Pine tar gives the pitcher an ability to make the ball do some pretty nasty things. It's not as prevelent now but pitchers would sneak that stuff anywhere on their body/glove so they can get a little on their fingers before pitches.

Awesome read

The whole controversy in the pine tar game was that Brett shouldn't have been called out. The "penalty" for excessive pine tar was supposed to be that the bat is removed from the game, not that the batter is out. That's why the game was resumed.