“Going Yard” Bat Blog

In one of the least creative ways Yankee pitcher Mike Pineda was accused of using pine tar to aid his pitching against the Boston Red Socks.  Clearly visible on all television screens, the dark smudge on Pineda’s neck led to his ejection for use of pine tar—in direct violation of MLB’s Rule 8.02.

While we wait to see the final result of this infringement, check out this collection of nine other famous MLB pitchers who were caught cheating.

Each year hundreds of MLB players push the limits of reflex, power and skill as they compete in America’s pastime. With 2,430 scheduled games, it can get a little hard to keep tabs on every great player. To help you stay ahead of the curve and know which players to watch this 2014 season, here’s Sporting News’ top 50 MLB players- starting with the Los Angeles Angel’s Mike Trout. And don’t worry if you miss any of the great MLB action this season- that’s what you have us for.

What are your thoughts on this list? Who do you think will make a surprise jump in the standings this season- and who will fall? Let us know in the comments below so your cheers of “I told you so!” don’t go unfounded this baseball season!

Catching a foul ball or home run is a traditional and time honored part of any baseball experience- but following the infamous “Bartman Catch” it became apparently just how much on an impact a fans actions could have on a game. While clearly not interference on the part of this Red’s fan, first baseman Matt Adams’ reaction might have been a little too personal.

While it’s hard to imagine Matt Adams being disciplined for his actions, the play is being reviewed by the commissioner’s office. And while the ball was definitely out of the field- and as such no interference was called- it looks as if Adams would have snagged that ball.

Do you think that Adams’ reaction was out of line? Should the crowd be pushed further back from the field, or is this just a part of baseball that every player should learn to accept? Let us know your thoughts!

MLB’s obscure secured possession has come under flak recently as two separate double play opportunities by Ben Zobrist of the Tampa Bay Rays and Elvis Andrus of the Rangers resulted in a bobbled exchange and no outs.

While both managers argued that their players had possession of the ball for the initial out and lost control during the exchange, the call on the field held after review.

Maybe they just both needed a new baseball glove?

They’re going back to wood bats in New Mexico high school baseball for the 2012 season – a move that results in a shift baseball strategy and tactics.

Baseball great Tom Seaver spent his career shutting down would-be sluggers.

Now he’s found a new passion in the wine industry. Check this out.

Good to see the former superstar enjoying his time off the field.

Here’s a nice reminiscence on the heavy wood bats of a bygone era.

While this predates our own baseball-obsessed childhood, we feel a certain kinship with the author.

Well worth a read!

If you need evidence of baseball’s global appeal, look no further than the Wikipedia entries discussed in this enjoyable read.

But somehow Major League Wezen-Ball just doesn’t sound right…

It seems like just yesterday we were embroiled in the performance-enhancing drugs scandal that rocked Major League Baseball.

But the years have passed in an instant, and now we’re coming up on the first years of Hall of Fame eligibility for the greats of that era like Clemens, Sosa and Biggio.

The question is, how do we deal with the elite players of the tainted years of MLB?

While the highlights of the 2011 MLB season are unforgettable, the lowlights have a persistence of memory all their own. Fatalities, fiascos and epic fails make the list of MLB lows in 2011.