Baseball. It’s almost here. Huskers will open their season in Las Vegas Friday night at 8:05 pm. It’s too cold to play here in Nebraska. That’s nothing new. But what IS new this season? It’s not deflate gate really, it’s more like “lower the gate.”
Well if you watched the College World Series at all, you heard about how the South wind constantly blowing into the grandstands instead of out (thanks Fahey and stadium planners) and how small ball has now taken over the game. It’s no longer “Gorilla ball” of the 1990’s and understandably so. They changed the bats in 2011.
This year they’re changing the laces on the baseball to fix the problems they created with the bats. As a result of the changed bats, college baseball is suffering from an all time low of 0.39 homeruns per game last season. That’s the lowest ever dating back to 1970! For example, in NCAA regionals, super regionals and CWS the long ball has all but died. 2010: 385 Homeruns v 2014: 87 Homeruns
Since taking away the hot bats in 2011, it is safer for the pitchers admittedly but it really changed the game. However, for the first time in 40 years, the league has now changed the BASEBALL. This lower-seam baseball is mathematically supposed to carry some 20 feet farther according to Craig Keilitz, president of the American Baseball Coaches Association.
The seams on the baseball are now 1/3 shorter making it more aerodynamic. Pitchers are liking it and have noticed fewer blisters. If you don’t think that’s a big deal try holding onto a fat seamed baseball with a burn on your finger and trying to be accurate with about 90 throws. It’s about the same thing. Some have said it feels smaller in their hands too. Maybe this means a little more confidence on the hill which is never a bad thing. Plus they have noticed a little more movement and velocity on their pitches.
RT if you can relate! #TheCageGrind pic.twitter.com/NLVXqO5lLa
— Baseball Lifestyle™ (@BsbLifestyle__) January 12, 2015
Batters like the lower seams because it means that baseballs are launching off the bat in a different way and will be carrying farther. This is the way to hit it into outfield gaps. Now it can be possible to hit a homer with a slower bat exit speed. Normally it would take a 100+ speed but now it can happen at just 94mph.
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The NCAA will be tracking how the new baseball affects 4 statistical categories: batting average, runs per game, homeruns per game and ERA. They will distribute this information in the 3rd week of the season and then monthly. They will also meet in July to re-evaluate performance and whether more changes are needed.
The Road to Omaha begins in... pic.twitter.com/OEDGmq6TRs
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) February 6, 2015
Overall I don’t think it will really change things at TD Ameritrade. They will need to move the outfield fences and that’s a possibility — a multi-million dollar possibility though. For now your regular season baseball will be a little more lively. For the Huskers who hit 18 homers last year versus their opponents who hit 19, it could mean winning more close ones than losing them. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out. In the meantime, bring on the warmer weather and bring on the baseball! GO BIG RED!!!