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Home > Magazine Archives > May/June 2008 > Official Major League Baseball
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Official Major League Baseball
By Michael S. Marsh
Your dream of pitching in the "Bigs" may have been dashed long ago, but you're still the go-to
arm when it comes to throwing batting practice to your kids at the local diamond. And even if your
curveball doesn't curve and your fastball isn't fast, you can channel the likes of Tom Seaver by
tossing the same ball he did: the official Major League baseball from Rawlings.
The common link between the long and storied history of America's pastime and all its defining
moments—from the glorious to the infamous—is the baseball. This American icon and symbol of
resiliency has seen little change since the dead-ball era ended
in 1920. The only significant change to the ball occurred in 1974 when then-commissioner Bowie
Kuhn ordered a change from horsehide to cowhide (equines were in short supply).
If at first a baseball appears uncomplicated, consider all its tight specifications and close
tolerances. According to Rawlings, the official and exclusive supplier of baseballs to the Major
Leagues since 1977, the baseball consists of a cherry-sized molded cork and rubber pill, which is
tightly wrapped in four distinct layers of wool and poly-cotton windings, each layer with a
specific circumference. These windings allow the ball to maintain its roundness, even when a
hulking slugger the size of David Ortiz puts a bat to it. Then two white, figure-8-shaped cowhide
covers are sewn together with 88 inches of red-waxed thread creating 108 stitches. After this the
ball is measured and weighed, and inspected for appearance. It's then stamped with the logo of
Major League Baseball. From here the baseball faces more tests, including being shot out of a
cannon, to make sure it is worthy of the Majors.
In a typical season Major League Baseball goes through 600,000 Rawlings baseballs at an average
life span of five to seven pitches each. The company also manufactures balls for the minor
leagues, college and high school, and it's safe to say that for $14.99, many thousands more are
used in backyard catches and games of "squeeze" and "pepper," sandlot games among rival
neighborhoods and all levels of organized ball.
Visit www.rawlings.com.
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