| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| 743 |
Posted - 11/05/2013 : 07:09:54
Heard from someone recently college may go to a harder baseball with less seams than what we have been seeing. Studies showed balls shot out of a pitching machine at 97 mph will go 400 feet as opposed to what they use now which go 20 or so feet shorter due to drag from the seams.
I am off a little on mph and distance, but seems like it may bring the home run ball back to the college world series. |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bballman |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 20:23:03
Update. Looks like this is a done deal for NCAA Division 1. D2 and D3 will be deciding at some point.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/ncaa-to-switch-to-flat-seamed-balls-in-2015/
|
| 743 |
Posted - 11/06/2013 : 10:22:29
Did a Pro tryout my junior year in college and was pitching. I brought my own baseball from the bullpen and it was a college Diamond baseball Green with the big high seams. My off speed curve and drop were very good. About the 3rd pitch to the first batter he fouls one off behind the stands. They throw out a minor league baseball and my ball had no movement at all. I gave up 2 lazers in a row, So I started throwing a knuckle ball and struck out one and hit the next batter in the back and was pulled off the mound. I am amazed when I see pitchers with good stuff throwing the PG balls. |
| stanlewis |
Posted - 11/05/2013 : 18:37:03
www.baseballamerica.com/college/ncaa-concludes-study-on-ball-seams/ |
| jacjacatk |
Posted - 11/05/2013 : 16:52:49
Some really interesting reading: http://baseball.physics.illinois.edu/aero.html and http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/qa-alan-nathan-on-the-physics-of-pitching/
Cliff notes version: You get more movement on a ball with high seams, for any kind of pitch, because it's easier to control the spin velocity of the ball, and the ball travels farther primarily because of the reduced drag from the seams when hit. |
| 743 |
Posted - 11/05/2013 : 13:22:51
From what I have heard they are trying to say it comes off the bat the same speed as the raised seam balls but because they are not raised it travels further. I am like you, hard to believe it wont come off the bat hotter. I also heard as you did, it would be slightly softer than MLB balls and I think Minor league balls are not as hard as the major leagues either. |
| bballman |
Posted - 11/05/2013 : 09:40:01
I heard that the coaches voted this in as well. It's basically the same ball as MLB. It has flatter seams and a little harder CORE. It is also the same ball used in Perfect Game events. If you can throw the PG ball, you will be fine. And yes, supposedly, it will not be more dangerous to infielders because the ball doesn't go any faster, but will travel further because of less drag.
From what I have heard, curveballs will be a little tougher, but pitches like the 2 seam fast ball will move more. I don't know the physics of it, but that's the word. My son likes the flat seam ball. Always enjoyed using it at the PG showcases and tournaments.
The other thing I don't know is exactly how the change might be implemented in college. I have heard rumors that it is a conference by conference thing in NCAA Division 1. I also don't know if D2, D3, JUCO or NAIA will be adopting it. If there is a change, it will probably be for the 2015 season. Time will tell. |
| zwndad |
Posted - 11/05/2013 : 09:22:39
Even if the ball doesn't necessarily travel further, I would expect more home runs with that kind of change. If you lower the seams, your breaking pitches won't move as much, except for the elite of the elite pitchers. I had a buddy who pitched at UGa with a nasty slider that turned into a home run ball when he got to the minors with the lower seams. |
