In the game of baseball, the bat is an essential piece of equipment. It is not just a tool to hit the ball, but also a symbol of the sport. As such, players are expected to abide by certain rules and regulations when it comes to their bats. One of the most serious offenses that can be committed with a bat is known as “corking”—the process of altering the bat in order to make it lighter and easier to hit the ball farther.
History of Corked Bats
The practice of corking bats has been a part of the game of baseball for over a century. As far back as the early 1900s, players were using corked bats in order to gain an advantage. It was not until the mid-1980s, however, that the practice gained greater notoriety. In 1985, a minor league player named Eddie Williams was caught using a corked bat in a game. This incident was the first time that a player had ever been caught using a corked bat, and it caused an uproar within Major League Baseball.
Penalties for Corked Bats
In the wake of the Eddie Williams incident, MLB instituted a series of strict penalties for players caught using corked bats. These penalties included fines, suspensions, and even potential expulsion from the league. It was made clear that corking bats was a serious offense, and that any player caught doing so would face serious consequences.
Famous Players Caught with Corked Bats
Since the mid-1980s, several high-profile players have been caught using corked bats. The most famous of these was Sammy Sosa, who was caught using a corked bat in 2003. Sosa was suspended for eight games and fined $87,000 for his actions. In 2011, another high-profile player, Ryan Braun, was also caught using a corked bat. He was suspended for 65 games and was forced to forfeit $3.5 million in salary.
Modern Rules and Regulations
In the years following the Sosa and Braun incidents, MLB has implemented a series of rules and regulations designed to prevent players from corking bats. These include a bat-testing program, which is designed to detect any illegal alterations to the bat. Players are also prohibited from using any foreign substances on their bats, such as pine tar or other sticky substances.
Conclusion
Corking bats is a serious offense that can lead to serious penalties for players caught doing so. MLB has implemented a variety of rules and regulations in order to prevent players from corking bats, and any player caught doing so can expect to face serious consequences. It is clear that corking bats is a practice that will not be tolerated in the game of baseball.