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Martin Del Vecchio

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The Ball Is Juiced
« on: January 04, 2007, 08:30:27 AM »
Quote
Study claims imaging tests show larger rubber core
Associated Press


CLEVELAND -- A company that uses computer imaging claims baseballs had a larger rubberized core and a synthetic rubber ring in 1998, including the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th homer.

Universal Medical Systems Inc. said Wednesday that with the assistance of Dr. Avrami S. Grader and Dr. Philip M. Halleck from The Center for Quantitative Imaging at Penn State, it took images of 1998 baseballs.

"Examining the CT images of Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball one can clearly see the synthetic ring around the core -- or 'pill' -- of the baseball," UMS president David Zavagno said. "While Mark McGwire may or may not have used illegal steroids, the evidence shows his ball -- under the governing body of the league -- was juiced."

But Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said the core of the ball has been unchanged for decades. Rawlings has been the exclusive supplier of baseballs to the major leagues since 1977.

"All of our balls are subject to rigorous quality control standards and testing conducted by Rawlings," DuPuy said. "No changes have been made to the core of the ball through the entire time they have manufactured it."

UMS specifically examined the ball McGwire hit for No. 70 -- a record surpassed when Barry Bonds hit 73 homers in 2001. Zavagno said the company tested about 35 baseballs in all.

McGwire is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time this year, and results will be announced Tuesday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

"The synthetic rubber ring of the modern-day baseball, in this case that of Mark McGwire's prized 70th home run ball, acts as both a spring and a 'stop,'" Zavagno said. "Much like a sling shot pulled back 10 or 20 degrees farther than normal, the subsequent restitution or rebound allows an object to fly faster and farther."

Baseball spokesman Rich Levin said what UMS calls a rubber ring is more like a cardboard washer.

"We are satisfied that the ball comports with all major league specifications," DuPuy said. "Beginning in 2000, we have had annual independent testing done by UMass at Lowell, baseball research center, under the direction of Dr. James Sherwood, and those tests have showed full compliance with standards."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

In other words, we have defined the standards, and these balls comply with the standards, therefore these balls don't fly farther."

Dave_Miller

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Re:The Ball Is Juiced
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2007, 10:27:50 AM »
The players are juiced so why not the ball ;D
Best
Dave

Gary Slatter

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Re:The Ball Is Juiced
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2007, 12:02:12 PM »
I don't think we can blame Mark McQwire for bringing his own balls to the baseball games. "Throw me this ball and you can be part of history"

I would love to see the golf balls used in the Masters checked. Make it compulsory for ALL players to turn in the ball USED on certain holes.  There are ProVs and there are ProVs, do we think the Nike we buy is the same as the one used by some Tour players?  I remember Moe Norman checking some balls (Tour Edition used by 2 players, one had just shot 62) at the Canadian Open, Moe used to carry a ring in his pocket to check balls.
"Never touches the ring, never touches the ring! too small!"
The Ryder Cup Committee should also come up with a ball for the competion, solve the problem of deciding whose custom ball they use in foursome play.
Gary Slatter
gary.slatter@raffles.com

Doug Ralston

Re:The Ball Is Juiced
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2007, 12:55:24 PM »
Sorry Gary;

The PGA lives on advertising contracts. Too many Tour players have a commitment to play a certain Company's ball. If the Ryder required they change to play, they simply could not play.

BTW, I do not blame the Companies involved for these contracts. They are paying a LOT for their human billboards; they have some right of expectation.

Welcome to Corporate World, and big time sports!

Doug

Gary Slatter

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Re:The Ball Is Juiced
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2007, 08:18:56 AM »
Sorry Gary;

The PGA lives on advertising contracts. Too many Tour players have a commitment to play a certain Company's ball. If the Ryder required they change to play, they simply could not play.

BTW, I do not blame the Companies involved for these contracts. They are paying a LOT for their human billboards; they have some right of expectation.

Welcome to Corporate World, and big time sports!

Doug
No problem with the contracts, my concern is with the actual ball that the players use - I don't think its the same ball that passed the tests. The ball sold in pro shops is not the ball used in tournaments is my concern.  Nick Faldo won the Masters playing a ball not on the market. cheers, Gary
Gary Slatter
gary.slatter@raffles.com

Jim Nugent

Re:The Ball Is Juiced
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2007, 08:35:52 AM »
Gary, what ball did Faldo use?  How was it different?  Was it legal?

Cassandra Burns

Re:The Ball Is Juiced
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2007, 10:04:56 AM »
Solving contracts is easy - everyone uses the same ball, you just put your company's logo on it as part of the ball-marking process!

A.G._Crockett

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Re:The Ball Is Juiced
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2007, 10:44:34 AM »
Solving contracts is easy - everyone uses the same ball, you just put your company's logo on it as part of the ball-marking process!

That's not the problem; marketing IS!  The reason the pros have contracts in the first place is to provide marketing juice.  If consumers know that the balls are all the same, then the bump from a winning pro's usage is gone.  Golf equipment marketing is all  about product differentiation.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Doug Siebert

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Re:The Ball Is Juiced
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2007, 12:02:07 AM »
Why would they X ray balls?  Wouldn't it be more instructive to fire them at a wall at 180 mph (whatever the combined speed of the ball and bat is at impact) and see how fast it is moving when it goes the other way?

If they really found a 1998 ball with a mysterious rubber ring, you'd think they could cut it open to prove this theory.  Maybe they wouldn't cut open McGwire's 70th HR ball, but surely there are plenty of people with 1998 McGwire foul balls who would sell them cheap on EBay :)

This is some sort of disinformation campaign put out by McGwire and Bonds' agents to try to get fewer people believing what they know to be true.  That they both took steroids and their records should be invalidated.
My hovercraft is full of eels.