As the pitcher mound evolved, so did the three essential tools of the sport: the ball, bat, and glove. Each tool specializes in a different function, allowing players to throw, catch, and hit effectively. Take a look at the visual to see how baseball gear has changed throughout the decades.
The Ball: The development of the modern-day baseball has come a long way since the pre-professional days of the sport when the balls were created by cobblers using the rubber remnants of old shoes. Several variations existed, including balls crafted by wrapping a wound core in a single strap of leather held together by four prominent lines of stitching – this design was often referred to as the “lemon peel” baseball.
It wasn’t until 1876 that league officials introduced a standardized set of rules and regulations for the size, weight, and material used for the ball (which still stand today). The rules called for the ball to be a sphere formed by yarn wound around a small core of cork or rubber. As far as weight and size, the ball must be between 5 and 5.25 ounces and between 9 and 9.25 inches in circumference to satisfy the requirements.
Another major significant change to the baseball occurred in 1925 when a man named Milton B. Reach patented the “cushion cork” center. Reach developed a ball in which two layers of rubber engulfed the sphere cork: first by a black semi-vulcanized rubber and then again by a layer of red rubber. The American League adopted this design in 1934 and utilized the “medium ball” to the appeal of pitchers who preferred the thicker and looser structure.
Since then, minimal changes have been made to the iconic red and white ball. Although advancements in technology have modified the production process, all 108 red stitches on the modern-day ball are still stitched by hand.
The Bat: The evolution of the baseball bat can almost be described in as much detail as the history of the baseball. During the first few decades of gameplay, batters were known for crafting bats that fit their style, just as pitchers molded their own balls.
First and foremost, earlier bats tended to be larger and heavier compared to the modern pieces seen today. Before any rules were set into action, bats were made from various types of wood, including ash, maple, willow, pine, spruce, cherry, chestnut, and even sycamore! Major league batters took a liking to ash, and it became the material of choice – until Barry Bonds began breaking records with a maple bat.
The league finally implemented a standard set of rules in 1870, which limited the length of the bat to 42 inches and the maximum diameter to 2.5 inches. The next major change happened in 1884 when Pete Browning, Louisville Eclipse’s declining star, broke his slump with the use of a bat crafted by woodworker “Bud” Hillerich. This instance marked the birth of one of the most popular bats in baseball history: the Louisville Slugger.
Minor changes have occurred to the modern-day bat since the 19th century, but advancements to the grip have been made with the thanks of new technology. Most notably, the ergonomic knob was created by graphic designer Grady Phelan, which features a slanted knob to prevent the player’s hand from rubbing against it.
The Glove: As history tells, the first baseball players took the field using their natural mitts – their bare hands. Since the idea of using bare hands seemed manlier, players could be measured by the number of calluses and broken bones amassed over time. The earliest noted gloves consisted of a pure leather material with open holes for the fingers.
As time passed, so did the “manly” stigma, and the development of the glove hit the ground running. Extra padding was added to ensure protection, and shallow webbings were placed between the fingers to assist in catching. The next remarkable change occurred in 1920 when the leather webbings were removed for a system of straps between the index finger and thumb – creating a deeper pocket.
Nowadays, gloves are specially crafted for pitchers, catchers, infielders, and outfielders. It goes without saying that the modern-day glove ranks among the most iconic pieces of equipment in the sport of baseball.