Who has the best ball?
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I agree with Titleist ...
As for baseballs, each of these companies makes multiple grades of baseballs. The best ball will depend upon what grade you are comparing.
Across the whole product line, I like the Rawlings balls the best. Wilson makes a good high end product but I have not had good luck with their low end balls. Diamond is the opposite with nice low end balls (I used them for practices) but not great high end product.
The one to stay away from is Baden. We had someone decide to save a buck and use those one year in our local rec league - and they were the worst balls I have ever seen. I could literally twist the cover off of them with my bare hands. They also went out of round when hit (by 12 year olds) and were noticeably soft after short periods of use (kinda like a tennis ball - you could squeeze them).
08
As for baseballs, each of these companies makes multiple grades of baseballs. The best ball will depend upon what grade you are comparing.
Across the whole product line, I like the Rawlings balls the best. Wilson makes a good high end product but I have not had good luck with their low end balls. Diamond is the opposite with nice low end balls (I used them for practices) but not great high end product.
The one to stay away from is Baden. We had someone decide to save a buck and use those one year in our local rec league - and they were the worst balls I have ever seen. I could literally twist the cover off of them with my bare hands. They also went out of round when hit (by 12 year olds) and were noticeably soft after short periods of use (kinda like a tennis ball - you could squeeze them).
08
Titleist is the clear choice, not that it makes my game any better but still.
We use Diamond at all of our events but have been approached by several other manufacturers about our 2009 events. Those are the big three and I wanted to get a few 2 cents in on the subject. I also heard Spalding will be making a big push on baseball in the near future. I am familiar with Wilson, Rawlings and obviously Diamond though.
We use Diamond at all of our events but have been approached by several other manufacturers about our 2009 events. Those are the big three and I wanted to get a few 2 cents in on the subject. I also heard Spalding will be making a big push on baseball in the near future. I am familiar with Wilson, Rawlings and obviously Diamond though.
It does depend on what quality of ball you are using, but I prefer Rawlings over the others.
Equivalent to the Wilson A1010 --- Diamond D1-NFHS --- Rawlings ???
quote:Originally posted by Pastime Tournaments:
Equivalent to the Wilson A1010 --- Diamond D1-NFHS --- Rawlings ???
Rawlings' is R100NF or R100HSNF
For me Diamond outperforms the others. Wilson is a distant 3rd to Rawlings.
The Baden All Weather ball is a great practice ball.
It doesn't soak up the moisture like a regular ball. During the early spring workouts, when the grass or fields are very wet, we use these balls because they won't get heavy. We have used the same group of balls year after year. They work great for batting practice too.
It doesn't soak up the moisture like a regular ball. During the early spring workouts, when the grass or fields are very wet, we use these balls because they won't get heavy. We have used the same group of balls year after year. They work great for batting practice too.
Having tried most all of them, Pro Nine is the best. Their covers are most similar to Diamond.
quote:Originally posted by YHF:
Having tried most all of them, Pro Nine is the best. Their covers are most similar to Diamond.
There is a reason, though Diamond may not like it:
Pro-Nine
What is also funny is there were rumors that a high school pitcher was brining in his own balls when he pitched because he liked the seams of the Diamonds, the league was sponsored by another brand and the schools were required to use those balls.
The opposing team was not amused when he would collect his balls each half inning after he pitched....it ended up as a big to do, some folks just get too caught up in winning…
Pro-Nine does provide a good value (in catching gear especially)... but I do think their ball does not perform as well as Diamond... but I would not dis their product.
My son doesn't like balls with high seams, especially the Diamond. He does like the Rawlings collegiate ball, and esp. their MLB ball because the seams are flatter. Which other manufacturers make a ball similar to the MLB?
Everyone makes a similar ball to what you are describing. The seam heights gradually become smaller as you move from HS to college to pro ball.
The Diamond professional has high seams compared to the Rawlings. I've never seen specs for seam height published.
quote:The seam heights gradually become smaller as you move from HS to college to pro ball.
The ball they used in the Pacific Coast League AAA back in the 80's had no seams hardly at all.
They were much lower then the MLB league ball.
You had to really know how to pitch to your spots in that league.
EH
I need a ball I can throw in the dark 
08Dad has a good point. Cost is everything. You can't get a Cadillac for a Ford Focus price! We've tried them all, and like 08Dad - STAY AWAY FROM BADEN!..
Rawlings has it moments, have found inconsistency from dozen to dozen (middle grade (nfhs) - cannot comment on the upper grades).
Diamond, all be it a little more at the store, has proven to be the best quality, consistency from dozen to dozen. Greatest practice ball in the bucket after the game!..makes our $'s go further on the long run for practice balls during a season.
As for Pronine, i personally haven't used them, but from the coaches that I've heard that have...I hear price got them to change, but quality made them change back to what they were using. In TX this is Diamond and Rawlings country, so for the most part, that is what is used out here.
Rawlings has it moments, have found inconsistency from dozen to dozen (middle grade (nfhs) - cannot comment on the upper grades).
Diamond, all be it a little more at the store, has proven to be the best quality, consistency from dozen to dozen. Greatest practice ball in the bucket after the game!..makes our $'s go further on the long run for practice balls during a season.
As for Pronine, i personally haven't used them, but from the coaches that I've heard that have...I hear price got them to change, but quality made them change back to what they were using. In TX this is Diamond and Rawlings country, so for the most part, that is what is used out here.
I like the Wilson 1010 the best. From my experience they hold up longer once you take them from game balls to the practice field as well. The lower grade Diamonds are terrible imo. If your not going to get the top grade Diamond don't bother. As far as the rawlings I like it but prefer the Wilson 1010 over every other baseball we have used and played with. jmo
I'm with Coach May on the Wilson A1010. Best ball I've ever used. They used to be our official high school ball, and every pitcher I know that has used them loves the ball. The seams are far and away the best I've used. The IHSA switched to Baden this year, and while they're not nearly as bad as detailed in these older posts, they're not good either. I've found the cover to get a little slick at times and just feel kind of artificial and the seams are no good. I actually ended up throwing my curveball without seams by the end of the year because I just could not get a good feel with that ball. We also noticed a lack of durability with the Badens. However, after getting beat up they are no worse than the rest of beat up balls we use for batting practice.
It's funny how people that have liked the Pro Nine and Diamond baseballs, beings at one time the owner of Pro Nine was one of the partners that started Diamond and was their ball designer. I don't know the cost now, but, about 7 yrs ago we were using Pro Nine right after he left Diamond for our league at about 1/2 the cost and held up real well.
Their(Pro Nine) catcher's gear is great and holds up real well, my son still uses a set during Summer ball that he got 5 yrs ago.
Their(Pro Nine) catcher's gear is great and holds up real well, my son still uses a set during Summer ball that he got 5 yrs ago.