Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowman
I read that they pretty much used the same ball until the stitches tore off. Fans even threw foul balls back onto the field in the early days. I don't know at which point that changed though. Maybe during the Ruth era? I'm sure someone here knows.
|
I'm pretty sure that ended after the 1920 season due to Ray Chapman's death after being beaned. Part of the problem was the ball was so dirty with dirt and tobacco juice etc, that it was hard to pick up by the batter...hence, switching out balls more often.