Has anyone heard an official word on Division 2 using the flat seam baseball yet? I know D1 is adopting it, but have not seen official word on D2. My son says they are, but I'm not sure if he heard it about D1 and is thinking D2 will be using it too because of that. Can't find a ruling on it anywhere yet.
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D1 has decided, and DII and DIII get to decide and I have not heard anything. My son (DIII) practiced with them last fall and will likely do the same this year in anticipation of switching, but I have not heard of any final decision. I would start throwing with one if I was a pitcher.
http://www.baseballamerica.com...eamed-balls-in-2015/
It is a change for postseason next year. Individual conferences may choose to use the ball in season. Don't know if D2 or D3 has instituted.
I believe I've read the NJCAA has adopted the ball for postseason in 2016 for D1 and D2 jucos.
D1 has decided, and DII and DIII get to decide and I have not heard anything. My son (DIII) practiced with them last fall and will likely do the same this year in anticipation of switching, but I have not heard of any final decision. I would start throwing with one if I was a pitcher.
http://www.baseballamerica.com...eamed-balls-in-2015/
That's the last I heard as well. It would be nice to know something.
Somebody in the linked article implies that the flatter seams will make some pitchers who are currently competitive not so competitive-- especially if this trickles down to HS. Do you think that's true? Will it have that much effect on what the pitchers can do with the ball? Never having been a pitcher -- except at age 9 - 10 -- I have no idea myself.
Also, I assume scouts and recruiters can "project" from what a kid does with a non major league ball to what he can do with a college or major league ball.
Just so you know Perfect Game has been using a low seam ball for years so it is not foreign to any player who has played in a PG event.
The differences are: Curveballs and sliders are tougher to get spin on them and for some may break a little less, fastballs and changeups tend to break more and could have more movement, the ball carries further in the OF.
Will likely be a non event for most pitchers.
Just so you know Perfect Game has been using a low seam ball for years so it is not foreign to any player who has played in a PG event.
The differences are: Curveballs and sliders are tougher to get spin on them and for some may break a little less, fastballs and changeups tend to break more and could have more movement, the ball carries further in the OF.
Will likely be a non event for most pitchers.
I've heard the same thing BOF. And yes, PG has always used the flat seam ball. My son likes it. For some reason, he feels like he gets better movement from them. I think it will be good for MLB projection as well. My son pitched for a regional scout one time. Threw some pitches and one of the first things the guy asked was - Is that a regular ball or a MLB ball? It was an MLB ball and he loved that!! I guess when fall comes around, we'll see what ball the team actually uses.
Talked to my son the other day. Although they are only throwing and doing conditioning right now, he said they are throwing with the flat seam ball. His understanding is that's what they'll be using this year. Will be interesting to see how this change affects the game. HRs in particular.
my son's league has been using flat seem mlb ball and wood bat exclusively for several years
