Ball Four, in the dirt

[bobbybanaduck]

they use a lot more than 6 dozen. i rubbed 7 in A ball. as far as checking the ball each time it hits the dirt goes...you have to. it's not dirt, it's clay; and it's hard. the balls not only get scuffed, they get cut. it doesn't happen every time it hits, but it happens enough that it has to be checked every time it does.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

they use a lot more than 6 dozen. i rubbed 7 in A ball. as far as checking the ball each time it hits the dirt goes...you have to. it's not dirt, it's clay; and it's hard. the balls not only get scuffed, they get cut. it doesn't happen every time it hits, but it happens enough that it has to be checked every time it does.

This must be a great revelation, then. Does today's, modern field have some super-abrasive additive that did not exist a decade ago? Because I have been watching MLB all my life and I never recall the ball-switching mania like that which exists today.

Oh sure, if the ball is drilled into the ground - I understand that. But they swap it out for the most innocuous touch of the ground. Hell, I think they're swapping it out if only the catcher's glove touches the ground while catching the pitch. They swap it out if it might have touched the ground.

MLB seemed so focused on cutting down the length of the games. How 'bout not switching baseballs every time it just ticks the turf? I'd bet that would shave a few minutes off the game - especially when you factor in how the pitcher tends to rub up each new ball before the next delivery.

[bobbybanaduck]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

This must be a great revelation, then. Does today's, modern field have some super-abrasive additive that did not exist a decade ago? Because I have been watching MLB all my life and I never recall the ball-switching mania like that which exists today.

Oh sure, if the ball is drilled into the ground - I understand that. But they swap it out for the most innocuous touch of the ground. Hell, I think they're swapping it out if only the catcher's glove touches the ground while catching the pitch. They swap it out if it might have touched the ground.

MLB seemed so focused on cutting down the length of the games. How 'bout not switching baseballs every time it just ticks the turf? I'd bet that would shave a few minutes off the game - especially when you factor in how the pitcher tends to rub up each new ball before the next delivery.

if you want to go the sarcasm route with me, i'm game, sir. but, before we delve into that, are you fully prepared to contend that TODAY'S game is the same as the game was a DECADE ago? times change. the game changes. they don't want scuffed balls now, and, with people paying a ridiculous sum of money to watch, they have the loot to be able to provide a "perfect" ball for just about every pitch. it is what it is.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

if you want to go the sarcasm route with me, i'm game, sir. but, before we delve into that, are you fully prepared to contend that TODAY'S game is the same as the game was a DECADE ago? times change. the game changes. they don't want scuffed balls now, and, with people paying a ridiculous sum of money to watch, they have the loot to be able to provide a "perfect" ball for just about every pitch. it is what it is.

I'm sure there's some reason for it - probably just as you've explained.

I was just pointing out how it is an aspect of the game that has evolved that I think is a little silly and overdone. It's has almost gotten to the point that it's impossible to play with a ball that has been defamed so much as to have actually touched the ground. What horrors!

"Whatever will we do? It ... uh ... it actually touched the ground?"



And then I simply pointed out that the ball-swapping ritual is now being done during, what would technically be, live ball action.

And then I asked for nothing more than OPINIONS.

I'm sure you are correct.