How Baseballs Are Made

Summary

This video takes viewers inside the intricate process of crafting a professional baseball. At its core lies the 'pill,' a small sphere made of cork and rubber, which is then carefully wrapped in layers of wool and poly-wool blend yarn to give the ball its resilience. Leather cutouts are stitched onto the pill using 108 cross stitches, followed by a final pressing and stamping with the league logo. From start to finish, it takes a week to produce a baseball, designed to withstand the intense impacts of the game.

Takeaways

• 🏐 The core of a baseball is called 'the pill', which is smaller than a golf ball and about four and a quarter inches in circumference.
• 🌐 Inside the pill's rubber casing is a sphere made of cork.
• 🧊 The pill is coated with latex adhesive, which is applied using a drum and rollers to ensure an even coat.
• 🧶 Multiple layers of wool yarn are wound around the pill to give the baseball its resilience and shape.
• 🔄 A second layer of three-ply yarn and a third layer of lighter three-ply yarn are added for additional thickness and spring.
• 🌀 The final winding uses a thinner poly wool blend for a smoother surface, which is called the center of the baseball.
• ⚙️ Figure-eight shaped leather pieces are cut and stitched around the center to form the baseball cover.
• 🪡 The stitching process involves 108 cross stitches for each baseball, ensuring the leather pieces are securely attached.
• 🔖 A hydraulic press is used to punch out the leather pieces, and a vise is used to hold the ball steady during stitching.
• 🏟️ The final product is a professional baseball with the trademark League logo and commissioner's signature, taking a week to complete from start to finish.

Q & A

What is the core component of a professional baseball known as?

The core component of a professional baseball is called the 'pill'.

What is the size of the 'pill' in a baseball?

The 'pill' is smaller than a golf ball and is about four and a quarter inches in circumference.

What material is inside the rubber casing of the 'pill'?

Inside the rubber casing of the 'pill' is a sphere of cork.

How is the 'pill' coated with latex adhesive?

Hundreds of 'pills' are loaded into a drum, and rollers spin the drum to evenly coat the 'pills' with latex adhesive.

What is the purpose of winding different layers of yarn around the 'pill'?

The various layers of yarn are wound around the 'pill' to give the baseball its resilience, allowing it to spring back into shape despite being hit repeatedly.

What types of yarn are used in the winding process of a baseball?

Four-ply wool, three-ply wool, and a lighter three-ply yarn are used in the winding process, with a final layer of a much thinner poly wool blend.

Why is the poly wool blend used for the final winding?

The poly wool blend is used for the final winding because its smoother surface contributes to the ball's performance.

How are the figure eight shapes for the baseball cover created?

Figure eight shapes are punched out from leather using a hydraulic press, complete with holes around the periphery for stitching.

How many stitches are there in each baseball?

There are 108 stitches in each baseball.

What is the final step in the baseball manufacturing process described in the script?

The final step is a three-headed stamper that gives the baseball the trademark League logo and the commissioner's signature.

How long does it take to make a professional baseball?

It takes a week to make a professional baseball, including drying cycles.