On this day in 1982, Gaylord Perry of the Seattle Mariners was ejected from a game for throwing an illegal spitball.

A spitball is an illegal pitch in baseball. When throwing this pitch, the pitcher will put some kind of substance like spit, Vaseline, or something similar, on the ball. This causes the ball to move, making it difficult for a batter to hit.

For many years, spitballs were permitted in baseball’s major leagues. But throwing this pitch was outlawed in 1920. Many pitchers still used the illegal pitch, however, working hard to hide their actions. Every now and then, like on this day in 1982, an umpire will catch a pitcher messing with the ball and toss him out of the game.

In baseball and in other sports, players cheat because they want to win and will do most anything to gain the victory. They know cheating is wrong, but they do it any way, hoping to not get caught. In baseball, a player is permitted to “steal,” as in steal a base. In basketball, it’s OK, and even encouraged, to “fake” (pretend to do one thing but then do something else). Other games and sports have actions that are wrong outside the game but are all right inside the game. But doing something that is not allowed inside the game, even if it wouldn’t be wrong in the rest of life, is cheating. It’s wrong, even if you don’t get caught. Sometimes cheaters win games, but actually they’re losers.

The heat of competition can make cheating very tempting, especially when others do it and when you think you can get away with it. Don’t give in. Instead, be a person who plays the game honestly and fairly, and within the rules. You will be respected, and you will honor God. And if you happen to lose the game, you’re still a winner.

The Lord hates cheating, but he delights in honesty (Proverbs 11:1).

To Do

In your next game, even if it’s just in the park, at summer camp, or in your home, determine to play within the rules.

Also on this day . . .

1838—The first class was graduated from Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in South Hadley, Massachusetts. It was one of the first colleges for women.

1913—Automobiles were legally allowed to enter Yosemite National Park, California, for the first time.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).