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KBO to mandate checks of pitchers' hands for illegal substances

Published: 26 Mar. 2026, 13:46 Updated: 26 Mar. 2026, 17:28

Korean pitcher Gwak Been, left, has his hands checked for illegal substances by home plate umpire Jen Pawol during an exhibition game against Japan at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, in this Nov. 15, 2025, file photo. [YONHAP]

The Korean baseball league said Wednesday it will mandate checks for illegal, foreign substances on pitchers' hands starting this year.

The KBO announced a series of rule changes for the upcoming season, which starts Saturday, following a meeting of its executive committee on Tuesday.

Previously, umpires only conducted checks for sticky substances that enhance pitchers' grip on the ball if they had suspicions or if the opposing team asked for inspections. With the rule change, starting pitchers will be subject to a minimum of two checks during a game, and relief pitchers must undergo at least one such inspection.

Those caught with foreign substances on their hands — pine tar or sunscreen for instance — will be immediately ejected from the game and will be slapped with an automatic 10-game suspension.

Among other changes, umpires will now be allowed to correct a call while looking at a separate play during their video review.

For example, if an umpire notices a ball hitting a batter while reviewing a checked swing but the hit-by-pitch wasn't originally called, then the umpire will be able to make the correction and award first base to the batter.

The KBO will also add the utility position to its annual Fielding Award, following the lead of MLB, where utility players compete for Gold Gloves each year.

To be eligible for that new category, a player must have logged 540 defensive innings total and at least 50 innings at a minimum of three positions.

Yonhap