8/10/2023 0 Comments Bullfrog sunscreen surfer formula![]() The clay content is the very tiny particles, most of which is likely responsible for the ‘dirty’ color left on the ball, working somewhat like pigment. The sand allows for the gritty texture, and is responsible for most of the ‘roughening’ effect (like liquid sandpaper). Lena Blackburne mud is a mixture of various minerals, as well as quartz sand, silt, and clay: The chemical composition of Lena Blackburne Original Baseball Rubbing Mud has been characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and plasma spectroscopy. So before we speculate about what a new, approved substance might be, let’s take a closer look at the substances currently in use. Since this is still in the early stages of research and development, little has been disclosed about the makeup of these new substances and new baseballs (although it’s probably safe to assume it’s something that is more amenable to quality control than a bucket of mud from the Delaware River). A Rawlings executive said, “We’ve got several formulations that are being tanned into the leather, and there’s another process where we’re spraying it on the leather.” Their prototypes, both in the form of a spray-on substance to be applied before game time as well as an entirely new baseball, were first tested in the Arizona Fall League in 2016. In fact, it has been reported that MLB and Rawlings, the official manufacturer of professional baseballs since 1975, already have undertaken this research. Underlying this is the concern for safety, as a slick ball slipping out of a pitcher’s hand at a high velocity can have devastating consequences.Ĭommissioner Rob Manfred and others have agreed that it’s time to find a new, MLB-sanctioned substance that can provide improved tackiness to the surface of the ball. This is noticeable both in terms of the appearance of the ball, which has implications in a hitter’s ability to see the ball, and the feel of the ball, which can lead to variance in a pitcher’s control. The timing of the application and the amount that is applied varies enormously from ballpark to ballpark. ![]() But more importantly, it adds a gritty, tacky quality that gives the pitcher an easier grip for control of the ball.īut let’s be honest: The inconsistencies and unpredictability behind this longstanding tradition also add to our frustration. A new and shiny baseball is an affront to a pitcher rubbing up a baseball allows the pitcher to be a bit more deceptive by making the ball more difficult to see. Much has been written about the use of Lena Blackburne Original Baseball Rubbing Mud for preparing baseballs for a game. The mystique surrounding the process of rubbing this magic mud onto new baseballs dovetails nicely with romantic aspects of the sport, even if we aren’t gripping those baseballs ourselves, while also having a practical element. ![]() This brief appearance belies the amount of preparation that takes place to get a baseball into game-ready condition for its oh-so-short career. ![]() Can MLB find a more uniform way for pitchers to develop a satisfactory grip? (via Jason Alley & Michelle Jay)Ĭonsider the brief lifespan of a baseball in the majors: After a cursory glance from an umpire and some coddling from the pitcher, the baseball sees a handful of pitches before it is retired.
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