roughing up finish on softballs

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by whiskers_ump

I usually get to the field early enough to insure both pitchers are using one of
the game balls for warm-up.

How does allowing pitchers to warm up with the game balls insure the balls readiness for play?

Even if a few get into the dirt, so what?

[Skahtboi]

I take them however I am given them. If I am given 3-5 shiny new balls, then we will play with shiny new balls. If I am given good quality used (read warmed up with before I got there) balls, then that is what we play with. Either way, both pitchers are on even ground.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

...Either way, both pitchers are on even ground.

It is not unusual (especially in tournaments) to start a game with one new and one used ball, so only the home team pitcher "has" to use a new ball. Especially with Dudley balls, I will typically rough them up a little, since it seems to me that they are worse than others on the hard, shiny finish (confirmed somewhat by pitcher's whining...). I also don't notice when a pitcher with a new ball happens to get some dirt on the ball that she proceeds to vigorously "wipe off".

[tcblue13]

The only problem we ever have is getting the sweat off when they take them out of the freezer. No wait maybe it's the microwave. I can't remember.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by tcblue13

The only problem we ever have is getting the sweat off when they take them out of the freezer. No wait maybe it's the microwave. I can't remember.

The best balls on the market are the microcells which are unaffected by temperature change and cost no more than any other ball.

It sort of antiquates the notion of icing or heating, but I doubt most of the players can figure that one out by themselves.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

How does allowing pitchers to warm up with the game balls insure the balls readiness for play?

Even if a few get into the dirt, so what?

They know what they will be using, so if smart they work 'em over.