Didjya Ever Notice?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by luvthegame

Batters love to have a spot on the ball. It helps identify spin or rotation. That is not the reason.

I have been told by MLB umpires that when a pitch hits the dirt...there is a high probability that the leather is scuffed, broken or torn. Therefore, advantage to pitchers who can utilize this. Ball out of play.

"Supposedly" a batted ball does not cause the same effect.

But to go a whole inning....is unusual.

Glad you said supposedly since the ball off the bat is often faster and with more spin that a pitch. And the dirt in the infield is usually not kept as soft as that around the plate.

I can tell you that the hide doesn't know the difference, nor have I ever seen leather "broken". Even a hide as tough as bison or waterbuffalo, that gets extremely dry and rigid after processing will bend when forced.

Another note, it is usually the catcher asking for a replacement when the pitch is in the dirt, without prompting from the batter OR umpire.

But is makes no difference, if the ball is damaged, get rid of it.