Why every major league baseball is coated in actual mud

Baseball's Muddy Business and How It Might End · 15:00 · Video: Today I Found Out · Watch at the source

In short: Pitchers rely on a specific type of grip to maintain control, but that grip comes from a literal layer of dirt. This video explains the history of a unique substance used in every MLB game and why its use may soon be phased out.

To ensure pitchers can maintain a consistent hold on the ball, every baseball in the major leagues is coated with Lena Blackburne Original Baseball Rubbing Mud. This specific substance is sourced from a private site along a southern New Jersey river branch.

While it has been the standard for years, the industry is currently looking at ways to move away from this traditional mud coating in the coming years.

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