MLB wants new balls

[DJnVa]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources-mlb-seeking-new-ball-with-stickier-cover-so-it-can-enforce-foreign-substance-rule-162554693.html

MLB has commissioned Rawlings, its official manufacturer, to produce a ball with natural tack on the leather in hopes of eliminating the need for pine tar, sunscreen and rosin, or any other foreign substances whose use in recent years has blurred the legal-illegal line, sources familiar with the project told Yahoo Sports. The balls also would not need a pregame polish of Lena Blackburne Rubbing Mud, the New Jersey-harvested muck that for decades has taken the sheen off the pearls that come out of the box.

 

[Rough Carrigan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources-mlb-seeking-new-ball-with-stickier-cover-so-it-can-enforce-foreign-substance-rule-162554693.html

Didn't we hear all about how the hide they use for the baseballs in Japan gives a better grip? Just use that for god's sake. It was part of Matsuzaka's excuse for why he didn't have the same control here.

 

[foulkehampshire]

Didn't we hear all about how the hide they use for the baseballs in Japan gives a better grip? Just use that for god's sake. It was part of Matsuzaka's excuse for why he didn't have the same control here.

Japanese balls are smaller as well.

 

[SumnerH]

Didn't we hear all about how the hide they use for the baseballs in Japan gives a better grip? Just use that for god's sake. It was part of Matsuzaka's excuse for why he didn't have the same control here.

Japan uses horsehide, MLB uses cowhide (MLB switched in 1974 as horse hide was getting very pricey).

Different pitchers say different things; some say the MLB ball is better for breaking stuff, others vice-versa.


Correction: MLB switched in 1974, but that was pre-Rawlings; Spalding provided balls until 1976

 

[shaggydog2000]

Japan uses horsehide, MLB uses cowhide (MLB switched in 1974 as horse hide was getting very pricey).

Different pitchers say different things; some say the MLB ball is better for breaking stuff, others vice-versa.


Correction: MLB switched in 1974, but that was pre-Rawlings; Spalding provided balls until 1976

Aren't the seams different (higher) on major league balls as well?

 

[SumnerH]

Aren't the seams different (higher) on major league balls as well?

I think Japanese balls changed to MLB-style seams in 2006. The NCAA used to have super high seams, but they switched to flatter MLB seams in 2015.

 

[Harry Hooper]

I'm not sure this is the right answer, but I'm glad to see MLB realizing that almost "anything goes" for pitchers in recent years when it comes to applying Bullfrog and other substances has gone too far.

 

[Bosoxen]

I'm not sure this is the right answer, but I'm glad to see MLB realizing that almost "anything goes" for pitchers in recent years when it comes to applying Bullfrog and other substances has gone too far.

You're not kidding. When it gets to the point where a pitcher blatantly puts a glob of pine tar on his neck and thinks he can get away with it, we can officially say the line has ceased to exist.

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

Clay's use of Bullfrog was pretty obvious as well.