How Many Baseballs Does a Team Use Per Game?

A lot of people are curious about how many baseballs a team uses during a game. The answer may surprise you!

The Number of Baseballs Used in a Game Depends on the Level of Play

In Major League Baseball, each team uses between 80 and 100 balls per game. Games at lower levels, such as Minor League Baseball, College, and High School use fewer balls. The number of balls used also depends on how many foul balls are hit into the stands.

Major League Baseball

In Major League Baseball, each team is allowed to have a maximum of 24 balls available for use during the game. This includes the balls that are already in play, as well as the balls that are on reserve in case one of the balls in play gets hit out of bounds or damaged.

Minor League Baseball

In minor league baseball, each team is allowed to have six balls in play at any given time. This includes the four balls that are in play when the bases are empty, as well as any balls that are currently being used by runners on base. If a ball is hit out of play, it is immediately replaced with a new one.

College Baseball

At the collegiate level, each team is allowed to have up to six dozen baseballs in their possession at any given time. Of those, roughly a dozen will be used during warmups before the game. The remaining balls will be used during the game itself, and any balls that are damaged or end up outside of the playing field will be replaced by new balls from the team’s supply.

High School Baseball

In high school baseball, each team is allowed to have up to six balls in their ball sack at a time. As long as there are less than two strikes on the batter, the pitcher may ask for a new ball when one gets soiled or there is a chance that it may be lost (such as going into the crowd). The umpire will also grant the pitcher a new ball if he or she feels that the old one has lost its shape or become excessively dirty.

The Number of Baseballs Used in a Game Also Depends on the Weather

The number of baseballs a team uses per game can range from a low of around six to a high of around 30. The majority of teams fall in the middle, using somewhere between 10 and 15 balls per game. So, what factors affect how many baseballs a team uses during a game? The two main factors are the weather and how well the team is playing.

Cold Weather

In colder weather, the baseballs get harder and don’t absorb as much moisture from the skin of the pitcher’s hand. This can lead to a decrease in the amount of spin on the ball, which can in turn lead to more home runs.

Hot Weather

On a hot day, a team can go through two dozen balls or more.

The Number of Baseballs Used in a Game is Different for Day Games and Night Games

In a night game, the home team is required to have at least 72 baseballs and the visiting team must have at least 48 baseballs. For day games, each team must have at least 54 baseballs. The teams are also allowed to have extra baseballs in case of foul balls or home runs.

Day Games

In general, Major League Baseball teams use between 80 and 100 baseballs during a game. The exact number depends on the team, the game situation, and the weather. For day games, teams usually use between 80 and 90 balls. For night games, teams usually use between 90 and 100 balls.

Night Games

In general, Major League Baseball teams use between six and seven dozen balls during night games, or between 72 and 84 balls. Most teams use around three and a half dozen balls during batting practice, or 42 balls.

There are a Few Other Factors That Can Affect the Number of Baseballs Used in a Game

The number of baseballs a team uses per game can vary depending on a few different factors. The first is the league the team plays in. Major League Baseball teams use anywhere from 85 to 125 balls per game. The second factor is the weather. If it is a hot day, the ball will expand and teams will use more balls. If it is a cold day, the ball will shrink and teams will use fewer balls. The last factor is the teams themselves. Some teams are known to be more aggressive and will use more balls. Other teams are more conservative and will use fewer balls.

The Score

The score can have a big impact on how many baseballs are used during a game. If the teams are evenly matched and the game is close, there will be more opportunities for foul balls and home runs, which means more baseballs will be used. If one team is ahead by a lot, the game may end early due to the “mercy rule,” which means fewer baseballs will be used.

The Number of Pitches Thrown

The number of pitches thrown in a game also has an impact on how many baseballs are used. A study done by fivethirtyeight.com showed that, on average, around 80 pitches are thrown in a game. However, this number can range based on the pitchers involved. Some pitchers, like Nolan Ryan, are known for their high number of pitches per game. In his 1974 season, Ryan set the record for most pitches thrown in a season with 5,714 across 383 innings pitched. That’s an average of 15 pitches per inning! On the other end of the spectrum are pitchers like Madison Bumgarner who averaged just over 10 pitches per inning in 2014.

The type of pitches being thrown can also affect how many baseballs are used in a game. A pitch that hits the ground is more likely to scuff up the ball and make it unusable than a pitch that is caught by the catcher. Pitches that hit batters or foul balls are also more likely to scuff up the ball and make it unusable than other types of pitches.

The Number of Hitters

The number of hitters can affect how many baseballs are used in a game. The more hitters there are, the more balls are likely to be hit into play. This means that more balls will need to be replaced throughout the game. In addition, the number of strikeouts can also affect the number of balls used. If there are a lot of strikeouts, this means that fewer balls will be put into play and replaced.