NCAA 1-11 The Ball

The Ball

SECTION 11. The ball is a sphere weighing not less than 5 nor more than 5¼ ounces avoirdupois and measuring not less than 9 inches nor more than 9½ inches in circumference. It shall be formed by yarn wound around a small core of rubber, cork or combination of both and covered by two pieces of white horsehide or cowhide tightly stitched together. The coefficient of restitution (COR) of a baseball cannot exceed .555.

a. The home team shall present one dozen game baseballs to the umpires to be rubbed up to remove the gloss before the game starts. Enough balls should be rubbed up so that a glossy ball is not used in the game. Moistened river silt makes an excellent material to remove the gloss from baseballs.

b. Before the game, the umpire-in-chief shall determine whether game balls meet those specifications. During the contest, any umpire may judge the fitness of the ball for play.

c. No player shall intentionally damage or discolor the ball.

PENALTY for c.—The umpire shall demand the ball, warn the player and if the practice continues, remove the player from the game.