If you watch an MLB game, you’ll see there are dozens of balls used throughout a game. Much of which seem like they are wasted. Catchers toss out a ball if it hits the dirt off a pitch and fouls balls almost every batter. Plus, homeruns and players throwing balls into the crowd at the end of an inning. Many balls are used and tossed out or given away.
How many baseballs are used in a MLB game? About 9 dozen baseball are used on average per game. That’s 108 baseballs used in a single MLB game on average.
It seems like the number of baseballs used in a game has no limit. Is it necessary to get a new ball every time a pitch hits the dirt? Well according to the official MLB rulebook, Rule 4.01(e)(2): the umpire will replace a baseball when a ball has become discolored or unfit for further use.
With how many are used per game and per season, what happens to all the baseballs that are replaced or tossed out?
Does MLB reuse baseballs?
It would be a complete waste to throw out the baseballs that get discarded during a baseball game. Especially knowing they cost about $7 each to make and sometimes last for only one pitch. (See our article “How much does an MLB Baseball Cost?” )
Baseballs are reused or repurposed, but not in games.
In the MLB, discarded baseballs are never reused in a game. Some go through a process to get authenticated and sold in MLB shops and online as games used memorabilia.
For example, authenticated MLB baseballs will be resold with the exact game date the ball was used. Something some fans like to have if the game was special to them.
Other discarded game balls are simply kept for batting practice. Either on field batting practice or facility batting cage type batting practice.
If you go to any Minor League Baseball game (MILB), you can sometimes find MLB baseballs during batting practice. These are game used baseballs from the MLB, Major League Level being reused as batting practice balls in the Minor Leagues.
The good news is that even though the discarded baseballs aren’t used again in a game, they are reused in other ways. This allows MLB to save money on batting practice balls at both the major and minor league levels. It also gives fans a chance to have a piece of history by purchasing an authenticated MLB baseball
How many MLB baseballs are made each year?
With 108 baseballs used per game on average, and 2430 total games in a season, that’s approximately 262,440 baseballs in one season. However, the MLB manufactures much more. Some baseballs are used for direct-to-consumer purchasing, autographs, practice, pre-game, and memorabilia. We would estimate about 300,000 baseballs are made each season.
Rawlings manufactures approximately 2.4 million baseballs per year. Again, not all are just for MLB games.
The process of making an MLB baseball is very interesting and takes a lot of work for one ball. It’s very precise and fun to see. Check out this video showing the process of making a Rawlings Official Major League Baseball:
What baseballs does MLB use?
MLB’s official baseball maker is Rawlings. For over 40 years Rawlings has been the exclusive supplier of baseballs to the Major Leagues. Every Rawlings ROMLB (Rawlings Official Major League Baseball) baseball is carefully crafted with the finest materials available and assembled, weighed, measured, tested and inspected for the highest possible level of quality and consistency.
All of Rawlings Major League Baseballs supplied to MLB teams are manufactured and assembled at a Rawlings Factory in Costa Rica.
Rawlings MLB Baseballs are made of three components: an exterior shell of cowhide, a winding of several layers of yarn, and a core of rubber-coated cork, also known as a “pill.”
Rawlings gets its baseball cowhide from Tennessee Tanning, a well-known tannery operation in Tennessee. Tennessee Tanning gets its cowhides from Cargills Beef Plant in Pennsylvania.
What happens to baseballs that hit the dirt?
When a baseball hits the dirt, the catcher will look at the baseball or hand to the umpire to take a quick look. They are looking for scuffs on the baseball to see if the ball is still playable or needs to be tossed out.
It is a rule set by the MLB and enforced by umpires. If there is a scuff on a baseball, or has dirt on it, a brand-new baseball must be introduced into the game. The rule is in place to ensure batters can see the baseball clearly on every pitch.
Why do catchers ask for new baseballs?
A catcher is there for their pitcher to help them be successful. Catchers constantly check baseballs for dirt and scuffs to make sure the pitcher is not using an altered baseball.
An altered baseball could affect a pitch and make it either tough to grip to not have the right spin or break. Catchers constantly change baseballs because it is a rule set by the MLB and enforced by umpires. Same as above with baseballs that hit the dirt, the catcher is simply following the rules.
Yes, a catcher would love to have the batter be at a disadvantage, but an altered or scuffed baseball could also hinder the pitcher’s ability to pitch a certain pitch correctly.
How many balls do umpires carry?
Before all MLB games, an umpire crew or attendant prepares 6 dozen or more baseballs. That means they “rub” the baseballs with mud to give them a rougher surface.
The rougher surface makes it easier for pitcher to grip. This also follows MLB Rule 4.01(c) which states that “the umpire shall inspect the baseball and ensure they are regulations baseball and that they are properly rubbed so that the gloss is removed”
Extra baseballs may be prepared or previously prepared baseballs as to meet the average number of baseballs used during a game which is about 9.
Generally, an umpire can only carry about 6 baseballs in their pouch. Any more than that is just problematic. The rest of the Game balls, also called “gamers”, are kept in a series of marked totes and buckets to be pulled from when the umpires pouch becomes low or out.
What is the most baseballs used in one game?
There isn’t a true number or precise count of the most baseballs ever used in one game. According to many MLB equipment managers and umpires, the most they usually see in one 9 inning game is 120 baseballs. So, 10 dozen.
Obviously, this number increases if a game goes into extra innings. That’s why having 10 or more dozen baseballs prepared for each game is necessary.
“Gamers” that went unused in previous games are still legal and eligible to use in future games. Typically, they will be used in the same series or stay with the home team to be used for the next game.
How many baseballs are used in an MLB game conclusion
Baseballs are discarded during every single baseball game at an alarming rate. About 108 baseballs are used per game, 262,440 baseballs are used throughout an MLB season. From balls in dirt, foul balls, and homeruns, every little thing that could alter a baseballs surface causes the ball to be removed.
Used or discarded baseballs are not truly wasted. They are either recycled for batting practice or sold after being authenticated.
About 10 dozen baseballs are prepared prior to each game, and about 9 dozen baseballs are used, or 108 baseballs in a single MLB game.
Next time you watch a MLB baseball game, notice when and why a baseball has been discarded.