Major League Baseball is considering using pre-tacked baseballs straight from the factory to address the ongoing problem of pitchers using illegal sticky substances for enhanced grip. Commissioner Rob Manfred recently informed the Baseball Writers' Association of America that the league is collaborating with Dow Chemical to develop a tacky ball that would come sealed and eliminate the need for individual mud rubbing.

These balls have already undergone testing in the Double-A Southern League during the first half of the current season. While the stitches would retain their color, the ball itself would be pearly white, a potential point of contention for players. Manfred acknowledged that the aesthetics of a pure white baseball could be a controversial issue that needs addressing.

Currently, a minimum of 13 dozen baseballs are prepared for each game and stored in humidors, a practice adopted league-wide in 2022. However, varying stadium conditions still affect the ball's feel, as Minnesota Twins All-Star pitcher Sonny Gray pointed out. He noted the difference between pitching in cold, dry Minnesota early in the season versus the humid summer conditions of Cincinnati.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan expressed his preference for a pre-tacked ball similar to those used in Nippon Professional Baseball, citing the success and consistency it has brought to the Japanese league. He anticipates positive outcomes if MLB adopts a similar system.

Since MLB initiated its crackdown on banned grip aids in June 2021, with umpires conducting regular inspections, five pitchers have received 10-game suspensions. These suspensions, according to Manfred, were for blatant violations. He also emphasized that umpires have exercised good judgment and discretion, granting players the benefit of the doubt in less obvious cases.

Currently, baseballs are rubbed with mud to reduce slickness, with standardized procedures implemented across all teams last year. The move towards pre-tacked balls represents a significant potential shift in this long-standing practice.