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Why the 'turn-over' of baseballs during a game?
by Jim
Jim asked: At times, it appears that a new ball is put into play for the flimsiest of reasons. As you watch MLB games every pitch which hits the dirt, the catcher rotates the ball up for the umpire to replace it, and the umpire most always throws it out. Sometimes he will just put it in his bag to recycle back into the game. One of the big changes in the game is the amount of money available to MLB Franchises. Early on, one of the decisions made on baseballs was surely cost and replacement. Now, a small portion of the budget in comparison. Each level down you go, I am sure there are more tolerant rules for the condition of the game ball. High school baseballs currently cost about $5.00 per ball. Depending on your fields location and surrounding structures, you may need 4 to 5 baseballs, or 12 or more baseballs to get through a game. School budgets have shrunk to minimal, or have completely disappeared as far as athletics are concerned, leaving it up to the program to earn the monies needed to run it. All that creates a greater tolerance for game baseball wear and tear. It takes a slice in a ball to get it out of a high school game. Yours in baseball, Rick |
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