The Washington times., 1929-08-29
It's I
Tests TWO
BASEBALLS

DhJLDhLLu
The ''lively BALI isn't ex.
actly a myth, nor is it as pre-
vailing an influence in base
ball as many fans and players
imagine.
This, in short, is the finding of
Louis S. Treadwell, associate editor
OF Scientific American, who has Just
completed a scientific test of the ball
at request of the Washington Times
and the Christy Walsh Syndicate.
The test included complete scienti-
fic investigation of the 1929 ball com.
pared to the 1924 ball as to compost
ton, workmanship, quality of yarns
used, residence, rubber content and
elasticity. In making the test half
dozen balls were used and the ex-
animation was most thorough. The
analytical test INCLUDED the ripping
apart of the balls with scientific
examination of materials and con-
struction.
This was followed by physical
test in which balls were dropped
from trap to a concrete floor with
accurate scientific apparatus to
measure -the rebound and slow mo-
tion pictures to show on the screen
the effect of the findings.
The test was conducted at the
Polo Grounds with John McGraw
and other baseball notables as
witnesses-and following the TAX
ing of affadavits from Managers
McGraw, of the Giants; Huggins,
of the Yankees; McCarty, of the
Cubs, in which the managers them.
selves stood at variance in their
kopinion.
According to the tests, the
1929 ball is only slightly liveIier
than the 1924 ball-a liveliness
that is in part due to the diff
ference in the age of the tive
| balls used.
'The yarn used in the 1924 ball
was either twisted more or wound
with greater tension" Mr.. Tread
| well says. This would tend to
make the 1924 ball deader because
the 1929 ball has the resilient yarn
nearer to the core.
What was more important In
the eyes of Mr.. Treadwell than the
| new ball comparison, was the un-
doubted proof from the test that
a baseball only slightly used loses
much of it's resiliency, becomes
battered, and as a result cannot be
driven for as great distances.
In the physical test it was found
bound or two feet more than the
1924 new ball. But the 1924 ball
has, in turn, several inches greater
rebodnd than the 1929 used ball.
The scientific conclusion reached
by Mr.. Treadwell as a result, of the
test is that the vicious hitting of
| the, present season is due not so
much to the liveness of the ball as
Ito the fact that balls are tossed out
and new ones substituted the min
ute there is any discoloration or
any roughness developed from
hitting.
And the lower batting averages Of
few years ago, by the same token,
| are scientifically explained by the
| fact that pitchers were permitted. to
doctor" the ball, use freak deliv-
cries and pitch discolored and often
ughened balls to hitters.
Analytically, the makeup Of
the ball of 1929 and the ball OF
1924 is much the same.
The horsehide cover is identical,
the same types of yarn are used and
the same covering of linen thread
used as mattress between yarn
and horsehide cover. There was one
radical difference, however. The
yardage of yarn in the 1924 ball ex-
ceeded in all types the yardage in
tho 1929 ball-an indication, accord
ing to Mr.. Treadwell, that the 1929
yarn is heavier and of better grade.
The figures on yarn are as follows;
Fine linen thread 112.s yards sS yards
Gray yarn Qisht), 57.1 yards 52s yards
White yarn $500. 4s yards !zS yards
Gray yarn (heavy) ss yards 81 yards
The difference in yardage Of the
cushion linen thread plus the su-
perior quality weight OF the graz,
yarn used would, in the professional
opinion of Mr.. Treadwell. account
for the added liveliness Of the 1929
ball.
In discounting somewhat the
reputed "liveliness' OF the so-called
rabbit ball." Mr.. Treadwell, in his
report, calls attention to certain
other factors which he believes
affect hitting even more than the
liveliness OF the ball. To quote
excerpts from, his reports:
81. It is evident, therefore.
that a new ball is presented to
the batter much more fire.
Guently than under, old COndi-
tiOns, which undoubtedly places
the pitcher at disadvantage
and gives the batter an added
advantage"
"2. Since 1919 and the advent
of Babe Ruth, batting styles have
changed and bat manufacturers
report practically no sale for the
old style Choke" bats. Only six
per cent Of bats manufactured were
of this type, and many of these
were unsold. Indicating a change
in hitting style and a tendency on
the part of batters to take q full
swing and try and knock them
out of the lot.
''3. The greater number of 800
hitters in both leagues is explained
more reasonably by a combination
OF all changed conditions coincident
with the advance of skill in the
game, plus rules that favor the
hitter and detract from the pitcher
~. Change in attitude of the
scores who favor the hitter and
frequently. call base hits on balls