Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
If you ever seen batting practice, you will notice an abundance of baseballs provided.
Why does MLB want pitchers using a new ball every inning? Is it because they don’t want them to get a better grip on the ball or something? What is the reasoning behind this?
If that is the case, doesn’t it seem like a waste of time? In fact, this is probably what makes pitchers cheat and and use pine tar grips .
Catchers constantly change baseballs because it is a rule set by the MLB and enforced by umpires. If an umpire notices a ball is scuffed or has dirt on it, a brand new baseball must be introduced into the game. This rule is in place to ensure hitters are able to clearly see every pitch.
I'll stick behind my reasons as secondary reasons, however. Makes sense.
I'll stick behind my reasons as secondary reasons, however. Makes sense.
You're not wrong.
The Chapman rule was implemented to specifically remove balls from the game that were dirty enough that they would be hard to see, particularly on cloudy days or in the late afternoon in the days before stadiums had lights. A clean ball that was scuffed, if noticed by the umpire, would be pulled from the game under the spitball ban that went into effect the season before Chapman was killed.
The reason they replace the ball every time it makes contact with the bat or the ground is for the reasons that you mentioned.
The real reason is that a ball scuffed by hitting the ground helps the pitcher get more movement on their pitches. The rough surface area causes more resistance and will make a pitch break more than a smooth ball.
The Chapman rule was implemented to specifically remove balls from the game that were dirty enough that they would be hard to see, particularly on cloudy days or in the late afternoon in the days before stadiums had lights. A clean ball that was scuffed, if noticed by the umpire, would be pulled from the game under the spitball ban that went into effect the season before Chapman was killed.
The reason they replace the ball every time it makes contact with the bat or the ground is for the reasons that you mentioned.
You got it right...and most times the ump tosses a ball aside after a pitch hits the ground, it gets back in play later unless it's seriously scuffed....
BTW-- it's not a coincidence that the Dead Ball Era ended as The Chapman Rule came into effect-- an older, frequently hit ball is decidedly softer than a less used ball....If I were a sports stats guy, I'd go back to the records to see if most HRs hit prior to 1920 were hit in the early innings to prove that. I bet they were.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
