Baseball (ball)
A baseball is a ball used primarily in the sport of the same name, baseball. It is generally approximately 9 inches (23 cm) in circumference, and 5 ounces (142 g) in weight, although smaller balls may be used in children's leagues. Construction varies. Generally the core of the ball is cork, rubber, or a mixture of the two, and is sometimes layered. Around that are various linear materials including yarn and twine, somteimes wool is used. A leather cover is put on, in two pieces, and stiched together using 104 stiches of waxed red cotton thread.
Cushioned cork cores were patented by sports equipment manufacturer and former baseball star Al Spalding. In recent years various snythetic materials have been used to create baseballs, however they are generally considered lower quality, and are not used in the Major Leagues. Using different types of materials affects the performance of the baseball. Generally a tighter-wound baseball will jump off the bat faster, and go farther. Since the baseballs used today are wound tighter than in previous years, notably the Mark McGwire hit for his 62nd home run of the 1998 baseball season, breaking Roger Maris's record, was sold by a fan to a collector of sports memorabilia for over one million dollars.
The Major League Baseball rulebook has guidelines for the size, weight and construction of the baseball for use in the major leagues.
- "The ball shall be a sphere formed by yarn wound around a small core of cork, rubber or similar material, covered with two stripes of white horsehide or cowhide, tightly stitched together. It shall weigh not less than five nor more than 5 1/4 ounces avoirdupois and measure not less than nine nor more than 9 1/4 inches in circumference."
References
- See 1.09.
- Shows cross-sections of various baseballs, and some history and creation.
