Why Are Baseballs Made Differently?

Just as the game of baseball has evolved, so has the baseball itself. The baseball has been altered at least five times throughout the history of the game. This has led to many conspiracy theories about the composition of the baseball changes and the belief that the ball was again altered for the 2011 season. However, according to Major League Baseball's Pat Courtney "There has been no change whatsoever in the composition of the baseball or process in which they are made."

  1. Early Soft Baseballs

    • Baseball is the longest tenured of the four current major sports, dating back to the early 1800's.

      The National Association of Base Ball Players set the standard to which all baseballs must conform in 1872. The standard, which is still in use today, states that the baseball must weigh between 5 and 5.25 ounces and measure 9 to 9.25 inches in circumference. Prior to 1872, no uniform standard existed, and the baseballs varied in size and weight. Baseballs ranged from being as small as a golf ball to as large as a softball. The reason for instituting guidelines, according to Ted Johnson, is that the balls were soft and couldn't be hit because of the feathery like composition.

    Corked Baseball

    • The era prior to the 1920's was known as the dead-ball era.

      In hopes of seeing higher offensive production,according to Johnson, baseball officials secretly replaced the rubber core that was inside the baseball with cork during the 1910 World Series. This resulted in having a livelier baseball, which meant higher offensive production.

    Raised Seams

    • Prior to 1931, all players were less accurate with their throwing because of their inability to get a good grip of the baseball.

      To counter the offensive explosion, the league attempted to even the playing field for the pitchers by wrapping a thin rubber around the corked core in 1931. The purpose of wrapping thin rubber around the cork was to deaden the ball, to prevent the ball from traveling as far. Additionally, baseball had the seams of the baseball raised. This allowed for the pitcher to get a better grip of the baseball, which gave him better control of his pitches.

    Cowhide Cover

    • Over the years, baseball has discovered higher scoring games equals more fans in the stands.

      Major League Baseball changed the cover of the baseball from horsehide to cowhide for economical reasons in 1974.

    Baseballs of 2011

    • Fans like to watch home runs, which is theory behind making the baseball livelier.

      According to Dave O'Brien, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter, the baseball's have been changed again in 2011 to put more fans in the seats during an economic downturn and also to increase offensive production. The newer baseballs are made of an inner core of rubber wrapped in a thick layer of yarn that is topped by leather. The older baseballs, from 2009, had a harder core that was wrapped in thin yarn and also topped with leather.