August 31, 1909 – A. J. Reach Co. patented the cork-centered baseball. Previously the balls had a hard rubber core to them. It sounds harmless enough, after all the core is buried under a leather cover and inner bindings. The stats tell a different story though.
According to ThisDayinBaseball.com the number of .300 hitters jumped from eight in 1910 to 27 a season later in the American League. The league’s earned run average will go from 2.53 to 3.34. We have heard about the corked bat, but the corked ball may have had an even bigger impact in the game. The modern ball has a core composed of cork and rubber.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
Sports History On This Day: March 18
On March 18, 1892, the governor-general of Canada, a certain man named Fredrick Arthur,
Super Bowl XXXII (Broncos vs. Packers): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XXXII, which was held on January 25, 1998, at
Doug Atkins: Strongest Man In Football
He was an imposing figure, whether tracking down opposing quarterbacks or selling caskets. At
Remembering Walter Gretzky: “Canada’s Hockey Dad”
Canada’s population is quickly approaching 38 million people, and if social media is any
Super Bowl XXXI (Patriots vs. Packers): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XXXI, which was held on January 26, 1997, at
Ken Patera – The Great American Weightlifter and Professional Wrestler
If you’re a fan of professional wrestling or weightlifting, you’re probably familiar with the
Guy Chamberlin: The Mysterious Disappearance of the NFL’s Winningest Coach
When his coaching career ended almost 95 years ago, he was so successful that
Willie O’Ree Was 1st – Who Was The NHL’s 2nd Black Player?
We all know that Willie O’Ree was the first black player in the National