"FED Legal" Baseballs

[MrUmpire]

Here's the problem with inconsistent quality of "FED" baseballs as opposed to MLB baseballs.

MLB has set standards and randomly tests balls that bear the MLB logo and are used in MLB.

The only standard FED enforces on those balls that bear the FED stamp is whether or not the check cleared.

Any company willing to pay for the right to use the FED logo, no matter what piece of crap they produce, may do so.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Here's the problem with inconsistent quality of "FED" baseballs as opposed to MLB baseballs.

MLB has set standards and randomly tests balls that bear the MLB logo and are used in MLB.

The only standard FED enforces on those balls that bear the FED stamp is whether or not the check cleared.

Any company willing to pay for the right to use the FED logo, no matter what piece of crap they produce, may do so.

MrUmpire,

I believe the FED also requires that the vendor alledges that the balls conform to FED specs regarding weight, circumference, and COR specifications.

JM

[jkumpire]

It's simple to me.

If the game is close between two good teams, make sure the game balls are good.

If the game is not close between a good team and a bad team, make sure the bad team plays defense using the soft, spongy game balls. If the good team is on defense, let them use the harder better game balls.

Anything to get the game over ASAP, so there is more tim for root beers after the contest!

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

MrUmpire,

I believe the FED also requires that the vendor alledges that the balls conform to FED specs regarding weight, circumference, and COR specifications.

JM

I can see where I was a bit unclear...my point is that FED does not eforce their requirements and, the last I knew, did not conduct random tests of any of the various manufacturer's products. They are primarily interested in the revenue generated by selling the rights to their logo and are minimally, if at all, interested in the quality of items that bear that logo.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

I can see where I was a bit unclear...my point is that FED does not eforce their requirements and, the last I knew, did not conduct random tests of any of the various manufacturer's products. They are primarily interested in the revenue generated by selling the rights to their logo and are minimally, if at all, interested in the quality of items that bear that logo.

And that makes them just like most American businesses and corporations.

[I know, the truth again; I'm sorry in advance]

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

And that makes them just like most American businesses and corporations.

[I know, the truth again; I'm sorry in advance]

1) You're not sorry.

2) It's your view of the truth. We get it. Now drop it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

It's not a big deal, Bob. And my views, as you know, are reality based, and not fantasy based.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

It's not a big deal, Bob. And my views, as you know, are reality based, and not fantasy based.

I don't know what they are based on.

I do know the kind of response they (and any similar posts expressing views from either side of the political, etc. spectrum) gather. I do know that they (ditto) don't advance the art of umpiring. That's why they (ditto) are routinely deleted.

We can see that in the posts I've deleted since you posted this.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

I can see where I was a bit unclear...my point is that FED does not eforce their requirements and, the last I knew, did not conduct random tests of any of the various manufacturer's products. They are primarily interested in the revenue generated by selling the rights to their logo and are minimally, if at all, interested in the quality of items that bear that logo.

MrUmpire,

No, you were perfectly clear. My response was intended to support your assertion.

A friend of mine who is "in the business" informed me that FED does absolutely nothing to verify that the baseballs conform to spec. They do, however, require that the vendor states that the balls conform to the specs when they apply for permission to use the "mark".

JM