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
Tales From Pro Football Hall of Fame Players (My Personal Accounts)
Roughly twenty years ago, while browsing the Pro Football Hall of Fame website, I
7 Of The Biggest Draws In Boxing History
In this, I am going to discuss famous draws that have occurred in the
Super Bowl XXVIII (Bills vs. Cowboys): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XXVIII, which was held on January 30, 1994, at
A Brief History of the New York Yankees of the Early 60s (1960-1964)
In a span of ten years, from 1949 to 1958, the New York Yankees
Go West Young Man: The Chicago Cardinals First Extended Road Trip
In the early days of the National Football League, it was not uncommon for
Wayne Maki and Ted Green: A Gruesome Night In Hockey History
Hockey has always been a game that is played with emotion. Within a moment
Super Bowl XXVI (Bills vs. Redskins): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XXVI, which was held on January 26, 1992, at
Super Bowl XXVII (Bills vs. Cowboys): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XXVII, which was held on January 31, 1993, at