The issue with baseball differences occurs during tournaments in which the coaches are asked to bring two new baseballs (this does not happen at USSSA tournament games). Rawlings makes great baseballs, but all baseballs are not the same. Rawlings is the supplier to MLB, but they have many price points for their baseballs. Specifically, the Rawlings Official League ROLB1 baseballs with a cork and rubber pill are fine for batting practice (especially in a cage), but these are not tournament baseballs. They definitely look like good baseballs, but there's a big difference between hitting those baseballs and hitting Rawlings USSSA baseballs with a cushioned cork center (or other similar baseballs). If you ever saw your son hit a ball well off of the bat and wondered why it didn't go farther then this could be the reason. These baseballs are definitely a great equalizer.
Coaches - If you ever want to help level the playing field against a superior team then I would instruct your pitchers to only pitch those baseballs.
Umpires - What are your views on the game balls that coaches bring?
One way to avoid this issue is to have the tournament provide the baseballs (and charge a little more, if necessary). I would be happy to pay the additional cost because this difference in baseballs is a major headache to manage in a game.
Has anyone else had this issue? I'm just curious because I've never seen it discussed.
For any skeptics, please first buy a dozen baseballs of each type and throw batting practice to your son on an open field and then report back. |
Tournament Baseball Differences
Posted - 07/01/2015 : 09:39:12
