On October 3rd, 2019, Major League Baseball (MLB) player Drew Smith was ejected from a Subway Series game against the New York Yankees for violating the league’s policy on illegal substances. Smith, who plays for the New York Mets, was ejected in the sixth inning after umpires determined he had used an illegal substance on the ball.
The incident occurred after Smith threw a pitch to Yankees batter Gleyber Torres. Umpires noticed a foreign substance on the ball and immediately ejected Smith from the game. After the game, Smith admitted that he had used a foreign substance on the ball, saying that he had done so in order to get a better grip on the ball.
Under MLB rules, the use of foreign substances on the ball is strictly prohibited. Players found to be in violation of this rule can face serious consequences, including fines and suspensions. In this case, Smith was fined an undisclosed amount and suspended for three games.
The incident has sparked debate among baseball fans, with some arguing that Smith should have been more careful about using a foreign substance on the ball. Others argue that it is common practice among pitchers to use substances such as pine tar or sunscreen to get a better grip on the ball, and that Smith should not have been punished so harshly.
Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, it is clear that MLB takes violations of its policy on illegal substances very seriously. As such, players should be aware of the rules and take extra caution when using any foreign substances on the ball.
