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Discussion: Game Balls

Posted Discussion
Oct. 10, 2019
garyheifner
649 posts
Game Balls
l Been thinking about a post a while back. A team was called out for using some game balls for the prelims from the previous year because of a seam color change. When U get eliminated early, U usually have one or two new ones left over. My team has used new left overs, with permission, in the prelims.

My Question: If the ball is a Stote 44/375 what difference does the color of the material/string holding the seams together make?

Does a seam color change mean we are using a dumbed down ball from the previous year?

Or, does a seam color change mean it is a better ball?

Isn't a Stote a Stote?

Oct. 10, 2019
TimMcElroy
942 posts
Not all 44/375s are created equal. In the same way that Honda Accord is available in the DX, EX and LX model, all Accords are not quite the same. In the ball world there are 44/375s with a synthetic cover,? a composite cover and leather cover. Each has it's own place in the Market.

The TRUMP stote (old version) had a synthetic cover but didn't perform as well in high humidity.
The STOTE trump (currently in use outside of LV) balls are made with micro-cell technology resulting in a more consistent ball performance in high humidity.

Why does it matter? SSUSA is trying to create a level playing field for all games and all teams.
Let's say that a team runs out of HRs using the new ball. If allowed: they could start using a lesser ball to help keep the ball in the park for the rest of the game.

OR, a crafty team could hit older model balls when nobody is looking to keep their HR totals down and mask their true power numbers.... "We hit just 4 HRs all weekend. We can't compete with the teams at the next level."
Oct. 11, 2019
tc4whlr
34 posts
In Vegas this year does anybody else feel the flight of the ball was very unpredictable, ball slicing and hooking like a bad golf shot,
Oct. 11, 2019
DaveDowell
Men's 70
4312 posts
Nothing unusual there ... That's the "normal" unpredictability of "The Rock" ball in flight ... It carries further, but behaves sometimes like a good knuckleball in the process ...
Oct. 11, 2019
garyheifner
649 posts
tc4whir


Vegas Rock

I was in RC and a liner headed for the gap between me and the LC fielder.

After about 3 steps to the ball, I had to put on the brakes and run 3-4 strides towards right. The ball sliced at least 8-10 feet or more. Was lucky to catch it.

In all the years never saw a ball move like that that was not wind aided.





Oct. 14, 2019
tc4whlr
34 posts
garyheifner,

we had a right handed batter hit a ball right at the left fielder who set up camp to make a normal catch but then the ball started hooking and he wasn't within 5 ft of the ball when it hit the ground. The ball just seemed act unusally different compared to years past.
Oct. 14, 2019
OZ40
549 posts
Probably due to uneven atmospheric conditions brought about by global warming! :-)
Oct. 14, 2019
SOFTBALLNUTZ
36 posts


The ROCK ball has a soft, spongy cover that when hit hard will go out of round shape causing the erratic flight characteristics.
Oct. 15, 2019
curveball
Men's 65
705 posts
Great one OZ. Thanks for the morning smile.
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