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Juiced ball theory

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ostealthy (talk | contribs) at 00:38, 31 May 2019 (→1990s to early 2000s). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The "juiced ball" theory suggested that the baseballs used in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 1990s and early 2000s were altered in order to increase scoring. The theory receded once it became clear that the more likely explanation for the increase in scoring during that time was the increase in steroid use during that era, as documented in the Mitchell Report in 2006. The juiced ball theory made a resurgence in the late 2010s, as a noticeable uptick in offensive output and especially home runs was observed.

1990s to early 2000s

According to the juiced ball theory, it was said that a "juiced" ball bounces off the bat at a higher speed.[1] Johnny Oates observed hits being made off pitches that should not have been elevated.[2] In 2000, Jim Sherwood, a professor at UMass Lowell, was hired to test the baseballs manufactured in the Rawlings facility in Costa Rica. The tests and regulations for MLB baseballs were described in detail. He said that he did not expect to find any change from the manufacturing process that had been used for the previous 16 years or more.[3] Various baseball manufacturers in the United States also agreed that the theory is nonsense, as there are many quality checks in place.[4] The stitchers interviewed did not even know what a juiced ball was. On the other hand, there is an argument that their livelihood depends on baseball sales, which may increase if the balls are juiced.[5]

Many pitchers[who?] felt that the balls became harder and traveled faster. Some pitchers performed their own tests. Kenny Rogers found that the ball in the center of each baseball was made of rubber, rather than the old cork. Billy Koch found that when dropped from the same height, the rubber balls from 2000 bounced 2 to 4 inches higher than rubber balls from 1999.

In 2000, Frank Deford, a writer for Sports Illustrated, interviewed Sandy Alderson, an MLB vice president, to discuss the possibility of a conspiracy by MLB to doctor the balls. Alderson denied this possibility, and Deford also discredited it as a conspiracy theory.[6]

Some players in the 2002 World Series complained that the balls were juiced after an 11-10 game. Alderson denied these allegations.[7]

The "Juiced Ball Theory" receded in popularity since the exposure of widespread use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs by professional baseball players during the same period, providing a more likely explanation for the increased numbers of home runs.

Late 2010s

During the 2017 MLB season, a record-breaking 5,693 home runs were hit by the league, surpassing the record set in 2000, during the height of the steroid era.[8][9] Beginning that season, several commentators pointed out the surge in home run rate and pointed to the 2015 All-Star Break as a likely beginning point for a change in baseball composition, if there was one.[8] In an article for The Ringer in 2017, Ben Lindbergh and Mitchel Lichtman tested three dozen game-used balls and found evidence that in 2015 the balls became slightly bouncier, and in 2016, the became slightly smaller with lower seams.[10] New York Mets manager Terry Collins said, "The seams on the ball are definitely lower. I think that’s why everybody is having blister problems all of a sudden. And there’s no question that the ball is harder."[11] In 2018, research by FiveThirtyEight's Rob Arthur found evidence of significant difference in the composition of the cores of baseballs produced after 2015 and before.[8]

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly denied allegations that modern baseballs are "juiced", and maintains that baseballs continue to be tested and fall within their designated measurable limits.[12]

References

  1. ^ Dan Shaughnessy (2000-05-11). "Will juiced ball study yield fruit?" (fee required). The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
  2. ^ Ken Daley (2000-05-19). "MLB takes check swing at juiced-ball issue". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
  3. ^ Jimmy Golen, Associated Press. "Engineering professor tests for juiced ball." South Coast Today, 19 May 2000.
  4. ^ Stan Grossfeld (2003-07-29). "People from All Over Proudly Do Their Small Parts to Produce Baseballs". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
  5. ^ Stan McNeal (2000-06-05). "Nothing unseemly ... or unseamly". The Sporting News. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
  6. ^ Deford, Frank (19 May 2000). "The great juiced-ball conspiracy". CNNSI.
  7. ^ Stark, Jayson. "Why all the runs? The balls are juiced, of course!". ESPN.
  8. ^ a b c Arthur, Rob; Dix, Tim (March 1, 2018). "We X-Rayed Some MLB Baseballs. Here's What We Found". FiveThirtyEight.com.
  9. ^ Arthur, Rob (June 28, 2017). "In MLB's New Home Run Era, It's The Baseballs That Are Juicing". FiveThirtyEight.com.
  10. ^ Lindbergh, Ben (June 14, 2017). "The Juiced Ball Is Back". TheRinger.com.
  11. ^ Whicker, Mark (June 23, 2017). "Whicker: Dodgers are taking advantage of the helium era". The Orange County Register.
  12. ^ Keri, Jonah (July 11, 2017). "Juiced baseballs? Rob Manfred says he's 'certain' balls are within specified limits". CBSSports.com.
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