What Brand of Baseballs are Used in MLB?

MLB uses Rawlings baseballs, which are made in Costa Rica. The baseballs are hand-stitched and have a smooth leather cover.

The Different Brands

There are several brands of baseballs that are used in the MLB, but the two most popular brands are Rawlings and Wilson. These two companies have been making baseballs for the MLB for many years and they are both very good at it.

Rawlings has been the official baseball of the MLB since 2000 and they have been making baseballs for the MLB since 1887. Rawlings baseballs are made in Costa Rica and they use a special mixture of cork, rubber, and yarn to make their balls. Rawlings also has a special process that they use to hand-stitch their balls. This makes Rawlings balls very durable and gives them a great feel.

Wilson has been making baseballs for the MLB since 1884 and they are the official ball of Minor League Baseball. Wilson uses a different stitching process than Rawlings, but their balls are also very durable. Wilson balls are made in China and use a different material for their core than Rawlings does. Many people say that Wilson balls have a better feel than Rawlings balls do.

Pros and Cons of each Brand

baseballs are manufactured by three companies: Rawlings, Spalding, anduish. Rawlings has supplied baseballs to the MLB since 1887, and currently has a contract that runs through 2019. Baseballs from all three brands are used throughout the minor leagues.

Rawlings baseballs are made in Costa Rica from hand-sewn cattle leather. The MLB requires that each ball have 108 double stitches, and each ball must weigh between 5 and 5 1/4 ounces with a circumference between 9 and 9 1/4 inches. Rawlings is the only company that uses Belgian Köln cowhide leather in its baseballs, which is turned into stitching thread in Haiti before being sent to Costa Rica.

Spalding baseballs are also made of hand-sewn cattle leather, but the tanning process is different from that of Rawlings balls. Spalding uses Texan steerhide in its baseballs, which it tans itself in Chicago. The company then sends the leather to Haiti to be turned into thread before it is shipped to Costa Rica for assembly. Spalding has been supplying MLB baseballs on and off since 1876, but has not been the primary supplier since 1974.

Balls manufactured by Diamond Baseballs are made of synthetic leather and cost about half as much as balls from Rawlings or Spalding. Diamond’s balls are used in many amateur leagues as well as some professional ones, such as the independent Atlantic League. The company claims that its balls are just as durable as those made by Rawlings and Spalding, but some players have complained that they do not feel as soft or break in as well.

Why MLB uses the Brands they do

The Official Baseball Rules have very specific requirements for a baseball, including the size, weight, and material composition. A method for testing baseballs to ensure that they meet these specifications was developed by Dr. Elliot Gindi, a physics professor, and Dr. Charles Rubin, a physiology professor. This test is known as the Gindi-Rubin Test, and all baseballs used in MLB must pass this test in order to be used in regular season and postseason play.

There are only two companies that currently manufacture baseballs that meet MLB’s specifications: Rawlings and Worth. Rawlings has been the official supplier of Major League Baseballs since 1977, and their balls are used in all MLB games. Worth was granted a license to produce baseballs for use in MLB games in 2013, but they are only used as a backup supply.

The Final Decision

As of the 2019 Major League Baseball season, Rawlings are the official baseball supplier to MLB. They have been supplying MLB with baseballs since 1977, and their current contract runs through the 2021 season.

Rawlings baseballs are made in Costa Rica from hand-selected leather that is tanned and rubbed in a process that takes more than two months. The balls are then stitch-bonded and hand-sewn together by Costa Rican artisans.

The Major League specification for a baseball is that it must weigh between 5 and 5.25 ounces, have a circumference of 9 to 9.25 inches, and be covered in cowhide leather. Rawlings meets all of these specifications with their official MLB baseballs.