Construction of Softballs

Today's softballs have come a long way from the balls used in the game's early history. The size, weight and construction of the ball has developed with changes in the game, and with experimentation with different materials and manufacturing methods. Two different softballs are standard for "fast pitch" and "slow pitch" softball games today, and the International Softball Federation regulates the use of particular balls for international competition.

Origins

The origins of the softball can be traced back to 1887. The first known softball game was played on Thanksgiving Day in Chicago using a tied-up boxing glove for a ball. In the years that have followed the game has been played on all types of surfaces, from indoor gymnasiums to vacant parking lots and open fields, and the development of the ball has evolved with its environments. Early versions of the softball are said to have been 10 to 20 diameters and caught with bare hands. Games played in a league in the region of Toronto in 1897 were called names like "cabbage ball, mush ball and pumpkin ball," presumably because these were the things used for balls. Large-scale construction of softballs the likes of which we use today began with the creation of regulatory bodies such as the Amateur Softball Association in 1933.

Materials

Modern softballs are typically composed of two pieces of white or yellow leather cut in a figure-eight pattern, white or yellow thread, and according to the International Softball Federation, "a core composed of either No. 1 quality long fiber kapok, a mixture of cork and rubber, a polyurethane mixture, or other material approved by the ISF Equipment Standards Commission." Twisted yarn is often wrapped around the core, and cement or latex is commonly used as an adhesive.

Specifications

Today fast-pitch games are played with a standard ball that is 12 inches in circumference and approximately 6.25 to 7 ounces in weight. International rules stipulate that the ball must be "smooth-seamed, concealed-stitched or flat-surfaced," though raised-seam balls are permitted by the American Amateur Softball Association, the NFHA and the NCAA. While nylon and other synthetic fabrics may be used to construct softballs and can be more durable and practical for youth leagues, international rules allow only cowhide or horsehide leather materials to be used.

Process

The production process of various cores is specific to the material used. A core may be produced by injecting a thermoplastic rubber or plasticized vinyl resin into a mold cavity and allowing it to solidify. Once the core is constructed, producers select an appropriate hot melt adhesive, heat it and then apply it in beads to the under-surface of the two fabric cover pieces. These harden in a few seconds, at which point the leather pieces are placed about the core and stitched together. The leather pieces are pre-holed for stitching.

Manufacturers

Softballs are mainly produced by companies based in the United States which are licensed to use the American Amateur Softball Association's certification marks on their balls. These companies include Champro, Diamond, Rawlings, Worth, Wilson, Decker, MacGregor, A.D. Starr, Miken and Reebok. Softballs are also produced in China and Japan.

Developments

Various softball construction plans have been registered with the United States Patent office in recent years, explaining the benefits of different materials for cores, binding agents and seam designs. "Ball with raised seam" was patented in 2001 by two inventors who claim that their design is better than traditional raised seam constructions as it produces a ball which feels the same to batters whether they hit the ball on the seams or not; the distances the ball travels is also said to be the same. Regulatory softball organizations, however, are historically reluctant to change specifications. At high levels of play, any alteration in the balls used can have a big impact on the game. For example raised seam constructions can unfairly tip the advantage to pitchers as they are able to produce spins and ball trajectories that are incredibly difficult to hit.

References

• Athletic Scholarships; The History of Softball
• International Softball Federation; Official Rules of Softball
• Amateur Softball Association; ASA Ball Testing and Certification
• Free Patents; Process for Coating Ball Cores
• Patent Storm; Ball with Raised Seams