Defacing the Ball

[GIMNEPIWO]

I've never noticed a 'lubricant' on a new ball ... What manufacturer does that ? ...

Prior to packaging softballs are sprayed with a nice coating to make them pretty. Don't think it is a lubricant, but it does it's job by coating each ball.

And I have NEVER seen a softball Umpire rub down a new ball before putting it in the game, including myself ... To do so would be presumptuous ...

I do all the time for more than 40 years now. New ball doesn't go through my hands without being rubbed down.

Then there you have it ... I stand corrected ... MTR is behind the dish, another ball goes out of play and his bag is depleted ... He asks for another ball and upon receiving one from the home team halts play while he is rubbing down the ball ...

[MTR]

Then there you have it ... I stand corrected ... MTR is behind the dish, another ball goes out of play and his bag is depleted ... He asks for another ball and upon receiving one from the home team halts play while he is rubbing down the ball ...

Yeah, it's called doing the job for which you are paid.

[AlwaysImprove]

Better to have the umpire rub the sheen off. If you give it to a smart pitcher she is going to rub it off. Give it to a less informed pitcher and you may get a batter unnecessarily injured.

[genbender69]

Just saw an umpire in Vegas 18Gold take the new game balls drop them in the dirt and began spinning the balls with her feet to scuff them up or wear off the coating...First time I have ever saw that.

[MTR]

Just saw an umpire in Vegas 18Gold take the new game balls drop them in the dirt and began spinning the balls with her feet to scuff them up or wear off the coating...First time I have ever saw that.

I wouldn't recommend that method, but the idea is right.