NEW YORK -- Get a grip. Using a suspicious substance for a better hold of the baseball on cool days is not such a sticky situation. Whether its the Yankees Michael Pineda with a mysterious brown goo on his hand, Bostons Jon Lester with a green smudge in his glove or Houstons Josh Zeid spraying something on his forearm before entering a recent game, most major leaguers dont care whether pitchers get a little help -- even though its against the Official Baseball Rules. To some, its preferable. "Its an unwritten rule in the game. Im sure a lot of pitchers do it," Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino said Friday before Boston played the Yankees. "As a hitter, do what you got to do from letting that ball go astray and hitting me in the head. Im fine with that." Ever since pitchers started throwing to batters in the 1800s, theyve looked for an edge -- and it has continued long after doctoring the baseball was banned in 1920. Television cameras caught Pineda with what looked like sticky pine tar on his hand early in the Yankees 4-1 victory over Boston on a cool Thursday night, when the ball could be slick. Red Sox manager John Farrell didnt see a photograph of Pinedas hand until the fourth inning. By the time Pineda came out to warm up for the fifth, his hand was clean and Farrell didnt complain to umpires. "In conditions like last night, its not uncommon for pitchers to try and get a grip in some way," Farrell said. "Were more focused on what we need to do offensively to kind of get going rather than taking anything away from his abilities." Joe Torre, Major League Baseballs executive vice-president of baseball operations, said in a statement Friday that Pineda would not be suspended. "The umpires did not observe an application of a foreign substance during the game and the issue was not raised by the Red Sox," Torre said. "Given those circumstances, there are no plans to issue a suspension, but we intend to talk to the Yankees regarding what occurred." Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman spoke with Torre and said the issue was resolved. Pineda said hadnt spoken with any Yankees management as of early afternoon. Perhaps Farrell didnt say anything because his pitchers have been accused of using something extra. Toronto Blue Jays broadcasters last season thought they caught Clay Buchholz -- who faced Pineda Thursday -- using an illegal substance. During the 2013 World Series opener, Lester was seen on TV with something in his glove. Yankees manager Joe Girardi has never questioned his own pitchers, but he knows what goes on. "I dont talk to pitchers about that: Do you use or dont you use? This is not a recreational drug. I dont talk to people about that," Girardi said. "Im aware. Ive been on teams where Ive seen it. Im 99 per cent sure that I know of other guys on other teams that use it." Rule 8.02 says a pitcher may not apply a "foreign substance" to the ball, and section B of the rule says a pitcher may not have any "foreign substance" in his possession on the mound. The penalty if caught is automatic ejection and suspension. The rule has been applied, perhaps most famously when Twins pitcher Joe Niekro was caught with an emery board and sandpaper in the back pocket of his uniform pants in 1987. He was banned for 10 days. But Victorino agreed, doctoring the ball this way is different than improving ones grip. Dodgers reliever Jay Howell was suspended three days (later reduced to two) for pine tar on his glove in Game 3 of the 1988 NL championship series. For a player to be ejected, he has to be caught. Umpires are obligated to take action if they see a violation or if one is reported to them. Not so easily done. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Victorino each said they have never gone up to the plate and noticed whether a pitcher had something on his hand or uniform. But as camera resolution increases, spotlight has increased on all players. Unlike golf, which has a self-policing policy that allows fans watching at home to point out rules violations, theres no such mechanism in baseball. Challenging the use of an illegal substance is not among the reviewable plays under MLBs new replay system. Baseball executives plan to examine the rules and make changes for 2015, perhaps a path that would allow for a change. For most, though, the problem for Pineda was he was too blatant. "Be discreet," Victorino said. Air Jordan Wholesale China .Y. -- The Detroit Red Wings had just enough time to salvage a point. Cheap Nike Air Max China . A quick first step to get to the hoop for a layup. 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Howard had 17 points and a career-high-tying 26 rebounds in his Houston debut, James Harden added 21 points and the Rockets cruised to a 96-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.NHL rosters have been finalized and with that is the knowledge of which underage Canadian Juniors will start the season in the bigs. Congratulations are in order and for the young men starting the season in the NHL, its the culmination of a life time of dreaming about playing in the NHL. Yes, theres the understanding it may be only for nine games, an audition so to speak - before another reality sets in. NHL teams are not so eager to have a year of a players entry level contract lop off if there isnt certainty, or more of one, about a players capability to sustain play over the long season. For Team Canada, reality of a different kind sets in. How would the team look if all of these players remain in the NHL and are unavailable for the World Junior Hockey Championship? As I wrote in September, it is always a matter of trying to replace skilled, top end, impact players. Teenage goalies are not going to be in the NHL any time in the future, near or long, so Canada has no worries there. On defence, Aaron Ekblad appears to be a lock to remain in Florida. A luxury to think about joining the team but a reality that is rooted somewhere around zero. I cant envision a scenario where Darnell Nurse isnt returned to junior - a reality I think is closer to 100. One thing stands out for me about the defence - they have size and they can skate. Returnee Josh Morrissey will anchor the blue line and he will have plenty of help. This will be a group that will defend well, transition well and contribute offence. A well-rounded group that will be a strength of the team. The forward group could change significantly between now and Christmas. Whats clear is that the quality of player starting the season in the NHL is of a very high calibre. Some injuries also begin to factor in. None more so than Sam Bennett, who - if he needs shoulder surgery - would all but guarantee his absence. Morgan Klimchuk suffered a broken wrist in training camp, Jake Virtanen is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and Robbi Fabbri was injured in an NHL pre-season game. Jonathan Drouin is a player to talk about as being eligible but his availability seems to be remote. Hockey Canada eyes will closely follow the progress (or lack of progress) of Sam Reinhart, Curtis Lazar, BBo Horvat and Anthony Duclair.dddddddddddd Those eyes will also be closely following other players as they prepare for all possibilities. Opportunity has opened up and while December seems a long way off, every game becomes important for the players who will be vying for a spot on the junior team. Ghost rosters will be contemplated over the next weeks for Team Canadas management and coaching staff as the evaluations continue both for the players in junior and in the NHL. Either way, play well and youre in. This isnt a new reality for Hockey Canada. CRAIG BUTTONS PROJECTED TEAM CANADA - OCTOBER Forwards Left Wing Centre Right Wing Nicolas Ritchie (Peterborough) Connor McDavid (Erie) Jake Virtanen (Calgary) Max Domi (London) Nic Petan (Portland) Jayce Hawrlyuk (Brandon) Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa) Robby Fabbri (Guelph) Zach Nastasiuk (Owen Sound) Morgan Klimchuk (Regina) Frederik Gauthier (Rimouski) Greg Chase (Calgary) To be determined - Jonathan Drouin, Anthony Duclair, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Curtis Lazar, Bo Horvat Defence Left Right Haydn Fleury (Red Deer) Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert) Samuel Morin (Rimouski) Madison Bowey (Kelowna) Travis Sanheim (Calgary) Shea Theodore (Seattle) Dillon Heatherington (Swift Current) To be determined - Aaron Ekblad, Darnell Nurse Goaltenders Zach Fucale (Halifax) Philippe Desrosiers (Rimouski) Eric Comrie (Tri-City) Mason McDonald (Charlottetown) Candidates Left Wing Left Defence Centre Right Defence Right Wing Nick Paul (North Bay) Ben Harpur (Guelph) Brayden Point (Moose Jaw) Roland McKeown (Kingston) Nick Baptiste (Sudbury) Brendan Lemieux (Barrie) Jason Dickinson (Guelph) Chris Bigras (Owen Sound) Jeremy Gregoire (Baie Comeau) Jeremy Roy (Sherbrooke) ' ' '
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