If you have ever watched a Major League Baseball (MLB) game, you might notice that they switch the ball… a lot! In fact, it’s estimated that an average MLB game uses about 120 baseballs. This might seem surprising, but there’s a good reason for it: strict MLB regulations ensure that only the best, cleanest, and most undamaged baseballs are in play.
Let’s explore why a game uses so many balls and what causes this seemingly endless rotation.
Why So Many Baseballs?
MLB games require a steady stream of new baseballs for several reasons, including the conditions of the field, safety, and performance. Unlike other sports where a ball might last for an whole game, in baseball, the ball endures a lot of abuse, from high-speed pitches to hard swings and rough bounces. Here’s a look at some of the main reasons:
- Fouls and Home Runs: Any time a batter hits a ball into the stands (as a foul or a home run), it’s gone for good. Those balls are instantly out of the game, going home as souvenirs with lucky baseball fans. In any given game, dozens of balls are lost this way.
- Ball Damage and Dirt: When a baseball hits the ground or gets scuffed, it’s usually replaced. Dirt on the ball affects the pitcher’s grip and control, and scuffed balls can behave unpredictably, which could make them unfair for batters and pitchers alike. Infield grounders, diving plays, or even simple bounces in the dirt can mean a ball swap.
- MLB’s Stringent Rules: MLB has strict rules on the condition of baseballs. Once a ball is scuffed, damaged, or becomes visibly dirty, it’s required to be taken out of play. Umpires are trained to examine the ball between plays and decide if it needs replacing.
- Pitcher Preferences: Some pitchers are particular about the ball they throw and may ask for a new one if it doesn’t feel quite right. While they’re not allowed to request an infinite number of new balls, pitchers can ask the umpire to examine a ball for possible replacement, especially if they notice a scuff or imperfection.
- Rule Changes and Speeding Up Play: In recent years, MLB has aimed to speed up games. One way to avoid delays is by having plenty of baseballs readily available so that balls can be swapped out quickly without affecting the pace of the game.
MLB Regulations on Replacing Baseballs
The official MLB rulebook provides guidelines for when a ball should be removed from play. According to the rules:
- Visible Damage or Dirt: If a ball becomes dirty, scuffed, or visibly damaged, it must be replaced. Even a small scuff can alter the ball’s trajectory, potentially affecting the outcome of a pitch or at-bat.
- Pitcher’s Request: Pitchers may request a new ball if they feel there’s a defect or if it doesn’t feel right in their grip. The umpire has the final say on whether the ball is swapped, but generally, pitchers have a lot of influence here.
- Foul Balls and Home Runs: Any time a ball leaves the field, it’s permanently out of play. Foul balls that reach the stands or home runs are automatically replaced.
- Subtle Replacements: You might not even notice it, but umpires frequently exchange balls between plays if they see any irregularity, ensuring that every pitch is thrown with a ball in top condition.
Other Factors That Influence the Number of Balls Used
Several other factors contribute to how many balls are used in a game. For example:
- Weather Conditions: Rain, mud, or a particularly dusty day can mean baseballs get dirty faster, leading to more frequent replacements.
- High-Scoring Games: If a game has a lot of hits, fouls, or home runs, more balls are going to be cycled out. Extra innings can also require even more baseballs, since each inning means more pitches, hits, and fouls.
- Pitching Style: Power pitchers who throw high-speed pitches or with a lot of spin might be tougher on the balls, leading to more scuffs and potential replacements.
A Major League Supply Chain
With around 120 balls used per game and each MLB season running 162 games for 30 teams, that’s an eye-popping 291,600 baseballs each year for regular season games alone! Add in spring training, postseason games, and extras for warmups, and you’re looking at hundreds of thousands of baseballs.
Each baseball is handmade and goes through a rigorous inspection process before reaching the field, and the costs add up quickly. Still, for MLB, ensuring players have the best equipment—and fans have plenty of souvenirs—is well worth the investment.
The Amount of baseballs in an MLB Game might seem excessive, but..
The constant rotation of baseballs in an MLB game might seem excessive, but it’s all in the name of safety, fairness, and tradition. With each ball subjected to the wear and tear of high-speed pitches, rough grounders, and long homers, frequent replacements are essential to keep the game fair and fun. Next time you watch a game, keep an eye on how often the ball gets swapped out—you might be surprised by just how many are used!
