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How Much Does A Major League Baseball Cost?

Written by Chris 

Published on February 22, 2024

Curious about how much does a Major League Baseball cost? If you're a hardcore fan or an avid collector, you're in for an interesting ride through the world of expenses in America's favorite sport. Throughout the course of a season, MLB teams go through tens of thousands of baseballs. Exploring the price of an MLB baseball can help fans better understand the impact of expenses on ticket prices and the overall financial strategy of MLB organizations.

How Much Does A Major League Baseball Cost?

Average Cost of a Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball (MLB) uses a specific type of baseball that is manufactured by Rawlings. These baseballs are designed to meet the league's specifications and play at the highest professional level. The average cost of an MLB baseball is around $7 per ball. However, it's important to note that prices can vary depending on factors such as the source and discounts for bulk purchases.


During a typical MLB game, teams use nine dozen baseballs, resulting in a total cost of approximately $756 for a single game. Let's do the math. There are 30 teams playing 162 regular-season games in a season.

30 MLB teams x 162 regular season game = 4,860 games 

4,860 games x 108 baseballs per game = 524,880 baseballs

524,880 baseballs / 2 (since two teams play in each game) = 262,440 baseballs

This means that MLB teams use approximately 262,440 baseballs during the regular season.

Factors Affecting Baseball Cost

Several factors can influence the cost of baseballs used in MLB games:

Quality and Specifications: Baseballs used in MLB games must be of high quality and adhere to specific standards set by the league. MLB game balls are made with a cushioned cork center, wrapped in yarn, and covered in high-quality leather. MLB baseball production is subject to stringent quality control measures to ensure performance and consistency. This keeps the MLB baseball cost on the higher side compared to other regular baseballs.

Purchase Volume: As with many products, discounts can be obtained when baseballs are purchased in bulk. The official MLB baseballs can cost about $25 each directly from Rawlings, but cheaper options are available when purchased in large quantities.

Alternate Sources: While the highest-quality, official MLB baseballs are produced by Rawlings, there are other providers offering more affordable alternatives that may work in certain situations, like practices or amateur leagues.

Condition: New baseballs tend to be more expensive than used baseballs. If cost is a concern, purchasing used, but still playable baseballs can be an option for players, coaches, and teams who are not necessarily participating in MLB games.

In summary, MLB baseball cost varies depending on the quality, specifications, purchase volume, and condition, among other factors. While the exact cost can fluctuate, it is estimated that the league spends a significant amount on baseballs (est $10m) each season to ensure that its games are played with the highest standard of equipment.

Baseball Production

Rawlings Manufacturing

Rawlings is the official manufacturer of Major League Baseballs and has been producing them since 1977. The company's factory, located in Costa Rica, is responsible for producing all MLB baseballs, as well as balls for other professional leagues worldwide. Rawlings has a great reputation for quality and craftsmanship, ensuring that each baseball meets the stringent specifications set by Major League Baseball.


The production process begins with raw materials such as cowhide, rubber, and cork. Experts carefully select top-quality cowhides, inspect them, and then skillfully cut them into small, four-piece panels. Skilled artisans then skive these panels, thinning the edges to create a smooth and round finished ball.


Layers of rubber and cork are then added, serving as the baseball's core. These materials provide a combination of weight and resilience, making them ideal for both pitching and hitting. Skilled workers hand-sew the cowhide panels using 108 stitches of waxed red thread once they have formed the core.


This attention to quality and detail has helped Rawlings remain the trusted supplier of official MLB baseballs for decades.

MLB Baseball Specifications

Major League Baseball has strict specifications to ensure uniformity and consistency in the game. These are some of the key specifications for an official MLB baseball:

Circumference: 9 to 9.25 inches (22.86 to 23.50 cm)

Diameter: 2.86 to 2.94 inches (7.26 to 7.47 cm)

Weight: 5 to 5.25 ounces (141.75 to 148.83 grams)

Stitches: 108 double stitches, made with waxed red thread

Materials: cowhide exterior, rubber and cork core

It costs around $7 to produce each MLB baseball. Retail and online stores sell the baseballs at prices ranging from $10 to $25, with an average retail price of around $15. Game-used MLB-authenticated baseballs can go for $100 or more, making them highly sought-after collectibles.

How Many Baseballs Are Used in a Game?

Ever wondered how many baseballs are used in a game? Each team uses many balls in a single game and throughout the season. From batting practice, foul balls, home runs, and fan catches, the number of baseballs used in an MLB game is much higher than expected. Here is a breakdown of how many baseballs are used in an MLB game.

Batting Practice Baseballs

Before every MLB game, teams take batting practice to warm up and get additional reps in. Baseballs used in BP differ from those used during a live game as they are carded, meaning they have been previously used in a game and deemed unsuitable for official play. Teams use dozens of these carded baseballs during batting practice.

Foul Balls and Home Runs

Home runs and fouls are other factors that contribute to the high number of baseballs used in a game. Foul balls may cause scuffs and damage to the ball or leave the playing field altogether. Same thing with home run balls. Any ball that leaves the park typically isn't returned (unless you are at Wrigley and are pressured to throw it back). A new ball is introduced to play in these situations. As a result, foul balls and home runs also contribute to the increased cost of baseballs for MLB games.
Poster

Catching a Baseball

Catching a baseball during an MLB game is a cherished experience for many fans. The average number of baseballs used in a major league game is approximately 108, providing baseball fans with numerous opportunities to catch a foul ball, home run ball, or even a ball thrown by a player into the stands. The value of the caught baseball far exceeds its cost, as it creates a lasting memory for the fan who catches it.

Recycling and Repurposing

Major League Baseball (MLB) games consume an average of 108 baseballs per game, resulting in a substantial number of used baseballs that require management. These baseballs often find new life through recycling and repurposing initiatives. One way they can be recycled is by transforming them into valuable memorabilia.


Once a baseball is taken out of play, it goes through an authentication process. An authenticator will attach a tamper-proof MLB hologram to each ball and register its serial number into a software program. This step ensures that the used baseball's history is traceable, adding credibility and value to any memorabilia made from it.

Autographs and Memorabilia

An effective way that MLB teams repurpose used baseballs is by turning them into autographed items and pieces of memorabilia.


Additionally, MLB teams often offer game-used baseballs for sale to fans. For instance, MLB has a wide variety of game-used baseballs available for purchase, with prices varying based on the ball's significance and the popularity of the players involved.


In summary, MLB manages used baseballs with care, recycling and repurposing them into merchandise, autographs, and memorabilia. This process not only creates unique items for fans to enjoy but also contributes to a more sustainable approach to managing used equipment within the professional sports industry.

Conclusion

In summary, the cost of an official Major League Baseball (MLB) can vary depending on factors such as the source of purchase and whether the ball is new or used.


The insane number of baseballs MLB teams go through each season is no joke. Those expenses pile up real quick for the league and the MLB teams. So, the next time you catch a Major League Baseball game, take a moment to appreciate the hidden costs behind each pitch and hit. It's a reminder that every play on the field carries a financial impact, further deepening our appreciation for this great game.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Major League Baseball cost on average?

The average cost of an MLB baseball is approximately $7 per ball. However, the baseball price can vary based on various factors.

How many baseballs are used in a game of Major League baseball?

An MLB game uses about nine dozen baseballs during a single game. These balls are used during batting practice sessions and actual games.

What factors influence the cost of MLB baseballs?

The cost of MLB baseballs can vary based on factors such as quality, specifications, purchase volume, and condition.

Who manufactures Major League Baseballs, and where are they produced?

Rawlings is the official manufacturer of MLB baseballs, and they are produced in a factory in Costa Rica.

What are the key specifications for an official MLB baseball?

The key specifications of an official MLB baseball include a circumference of 9 to 9.25 inches, a diameter of 2.86 to 2.94 inches, a weight of 5 to 5.25 ounces, and 108 double stitches made with waxed red thread.

What happens to baseballs used in a game?

Baseballs used in the game are later carded and are used for batting practice. Some of the used baseballs go through an authentication process and can be recycled into valuable memorabilia or repurposed into autographed items.