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by Santaanacanyon on September 16th, 2003

Santaanacanyon

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Is there any validity to the accusation that today's baseballs are "livelier" than they used to be?

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Answers. 4 helpful answers below.

  • by Santaanacanyon on September 16th, 2003

    Santaanacanyon

    Today's baseballs are definitely not like the ones manufactured ten and twenty years ago.

    Sports Illustrated did some research on this and reported their findings in a 2001 issue. They wanted to see if the "livelier" ball was the result of the sudden surge in home runs.

    A baseball is a small rubber core, named "the pill". The pill is wrapped with several yards of cotton string, then covered with two pieces of leather stitched together.

    It is the string that is wrapped around the pill that is the point of controversy.

    This string is simply a recycled product, produced from discarded carpeting. Over the last three decades, carpet manufacturers have been adding polyester to their product, and in increasing proportions year by year. Thus, more and more polyester is finding its way into baseballs.
    Polyester is water resistant, so the ball is less likely to be affected by humidity. Polyester is also a little heavier than pure cotton, so a little less product is used to reach "official weight." To meet "official size", the string is not wound as tightly.

    Is all of this aiding batters in hitting home runs? Or, is it making the job of pitching more difficult? Maybe neither - you be the judge.

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  • by sparky8 on April 23rd, 2009

    sparky8

    First of all this question needs to go to Rawlings Sporting Goods. I have managed Muscle Shoals Rubber for the last 7 years (where the pill has been made0. Our company has produced the pill since 1948 for whoever had the MLB contract. The pill and process has remained the same. Now to answer your qoustion, in 1-09 Rawlings pulled our contract to get the pills made in Costa Rica. Not only do I look for a big change, but they put more Americans out of a job. In 2007 they pulled the contract from D&T Spinning in Ludlow VT., they had done the yarn for I think 20 or 30 something years. I guess it went over there also, this too put Americans out of work. So much for the American Pastime?? So has the ball changed? I feel the 2007 balls did change as well as the 2009 balls. NONE of our parts (core, pill, center whatever you call it) were to be used in the 2009 balls.

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  • by Donald Goodman on June 13th, 2004

    Donald Goodman

    There are a number of unverifiable rumors as to why there is the proliferation of home runs in the last few years.

    Some say it is the balls, but some point to corked bats and the players who are "juiced up" on steroids or other performance enhancing drugs/dietary supplements.

    Some just like to think it is the "Superstar" status of a home run hitter. A player who could hit .330 with 20 home runs as a more disciplined hitter would rather bat .270 and hit 50 home runs. So, they hit the weight room more often and swing for the fences.

    I think the answer is a little bit of all the above.

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  • by Jay TH on November 29th, 2003

    Jay TH

    I think it's valid. In modern times the baseballs are spun tighter than they were in the olden days, which makes the baseball "jump" off the bat when struck. which means its easier to hit homeruns and easier to get hits.

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