[jbeam]

They have been checking balls as part of their information gathering to see the extend of the problem, but remember there is no one ball. The ball is replaced pretty much any time it does anything other than go directly from the pitchers hand into the catcher’s mitt. Also any time it is fouled off, or hit into play, etc. If you watch an at bat and the ball hits the dirt, you will see the catcher get a new ball from an ump.

So the "sticky stuff", as it is sort of being childishly called throughout the league, is usually on the pitcher somewhere — some like to put it on the brim of their cap, some in the glove, some in their belt, you get the idea. Frankly, they have been very blatant about it all season. After every new ball they “go to their cap” or “go to their glove” to get more grip again. It’s been pretty blatant, actually, pitchers have been really thumbing their nose at the league.

Example: https://twitter.com/jomboymedia/status/1399904704293969921