The History of the Baseball
The sport of baseball started in the early 1800s, during the time of the Civil War. Soldiers on both sides of the war played the sport among themselves, and it became largely popular when war veterans started playing the game even after they went home after the war ended. The credit for inventing baseball and its equipment goes to Abner Doubleday, who was a Union major general in the Civil War.
Earlier, the balls used in baseball were made from a rubber core that was made by melting old shoes. The cores were wrapped with leather or yarn, and pitchers mostly made their own balls. After the 1850s, efforts were made to standardize the design and construction of baseballs, and their weight and circumference was also determined.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, numerous changes were made to the design and construction of the baseball, in order to make it more suitable for the sport. In 1934, both the National League and the American League came to an agreement and standardized a baseball with a cushion cork center, yarn wrappings, and a rubber cement coating.
How Long Does a Baseball Last?
When talking about baseball, we are actually talking about the ball and not the sport. You would probably wonder how long a ball lasts. Since they are made from leather, rubber, and cork, baseballs can only withstand a couple of hits and pitches before the seams start to come apart or the material breaks.
Normally, good quality baseballs last between 7 to 8 pitches before breaking down, and some might also last up to 10 pitches. This would include practice shots as well, especially if you use the same ball for your matches as well. In major tournaments, such as Major League Baseball games, balls are never reused, which means that a single game can have as many as 8 dozen balls!
Things to Consider Before Buying a Baseball
There are several factors involved in the selection of a baseball, which makes or breaks your practice and the quality of your performance as well. Let’s have a look at the factors you need to consider before you lock in a certain baseball.
Type
There are different types of baseballs that help players practice and train properly, and also improve their game over time. Some of the types include:
- Standard baseballs: These are the baseballs you use for matches, and they are built on the standardized dimensions by using different high-quality materials.
- Indoor baseballs: These baseballs are specially designed for places where you can’t play with a standard baseball, particularly in cold weather. They are much softer as well.
- Practice baseballs: These baseballs are particularly designed to help you practice and perfect your skills, and they are made from materials like rubber or foam.
- Weighted baseballs: These baseballs have a higher weight than standard baseballs and they help pitchers practice their throwing and catching skills.
There are numerous other types of baseballs, so you can choose from among them depending on your needs.
Cover
The cover refers to the outer layer of the baseball, and leather is one of the most common materials that is used to build the covering. Leather is more durable than any other material, and it also works well in dry weather conditions. You can also find synthetic leather covers, which work better against dirt and moisture.
If you have to practice and play baseball in humid conditions, then you should opt for baseballs that have a synthetic leather cover. Plus, these are also cheaper than those with a leather cover.
Stitching
There are also different stitching methods and techniques used in the construction of baseballs, and this factor influences the control and pitching of the baseball. Some of the stitching types include raised stitching, rolled stitching, and flattened stitching. Raised stitching is more suitable for faster and sharper pitching, whereas rolled stitching provides lower air resistance and is more suitable for league games.
Cores
The core of the baseball is made from different materials, such as cushioned cork or rubber. The cork is wrapped with rubber and then wound with wool using a cotton thread, which gives the ball its durability and weight. Moreover, a durable and high-quality core will help the baseball retain its shape after being hit multiple times. Players prefer baseballs with a cushioned cork core over rubber cores, as they last much longer.
Circumference
As mentioned above, the circumference for league and tournament-level baseballs is standardized and must fall in the range of 9 to 9¼ inches. If you are buying a ball for playing professional matches, then you will need to choose baseballs that have the predefined circumference, otherwise you will only be able to use them for practice and casual playing.
Weight
Along with the circumference, the weight of the baseball is also regulated and it can only weigh between 5 and 5¼ ounces. The materials used for the core, winding, and cover determine how heavy or lightweight the baseball will be, which is why you need to take a look at the weight of every baseball that you consider buying.
Reduced Injury Factor
If you are looking for a baseball for your child or for younger players, manufacturers offer specialized balls that have softer cores and are lighter in weight. They are known as Reduced Injury Factor or RIF balls, and they help children overcome their fear of being hit with a hard baseball.
FAQs
Are baseballs ever reused in Major League Baseball games?
Baseballs are never reused in Major League Baseball, mainly because they wear out after 8 to 10 pitches. This is why dozens of baseballs are used in every game.
Are baseballs that hit the dirt discarded in games?
Once a baseball hits the dirt during a game, it becomes difficult to view for the players, and this can also be dangerous for the batter. Therefore, such baseballs are discarded during the game.
How to clean a baseball?
Use an eraser to remove all types of stains from baseballs, or you can use a bleach solution with warm water and mild soap to remove stronger stains.