How Many Balls Are Used in a Baseball Game?

Does it seem like every time you watch a Major League Baseball game, they're constantly switching baseballs? It's not just you. The number of baseballs that get tossed out of play per game is impressive - and it might make a casual fan wonder why they need all those baseballs. Let's answer the question of how many baseballs are used in an average Major League game.

How Many Baseballs Are Used in a Nine-Inning Game?

According to The Athletic, between 96 and 120 baseballs are used in a nine-inning MLB game. In one specific game, they counted 114 baseballs used from the time the starting pitcher began his warm-ups until the final out. That adds up to nearly 300,000 baseballs used just in the regular season. When you add in playoffs, extra innings and practice balls, you could be looking at three times that amount - literally millions of dollars' worth of baseballs. The number used in college baseball isn't as high but is still impressive. The NCAA says that, in the College World Series, 60-65 baseballs are used per game. Some games require more, such as the opening game of the 2018 series that used more than 80 baseballs. Each CWS team is also given 12 dozen practice baseballs - and some teams bring their own on top of that.

Why Are So Many Balls Used in a Baseball Game?

Once you look closer, it's no wonder the average number of baseballs used per game adds up so quickly. Major League rules require that, if a ball gets dirty or damaged in any way, it has to be replaced immediately. Whether it's due to dirt, resin, grass stains or scuffs, umpires must remove the ball from play in favor of a spotless white one. This dates back to a 1920 tragedy where Rex Chapman died after getting hit in the head with a pitch that he couldn't see because the ball was dirty. Home runs and foul balls that go in the stands also need to be replaced, and separate baseballs are used for warmups. A pitcher can also request a new baseball anytime he doesn't like the current ball. All and all, a typical MLB ball's game lifespan is only three to seven pitches.

What Happens to Game-Used Baseballs?

In the Major Leagues, any baseballs that do not go into the stands or to a specific player (such as their first career hit) are sold as mementos. These balls are even labeled with what happened on the pitches where they were used. In college, where budgets are tighter and balls have less resale value, balls are more likely to be reused for batting and fielding practice. If your team needs baseballs for the coming season, you can find them at Bownet®. We sell a variety of official league baseballs and practice baseballs for youth, high school, college and USSSA athletes. Choose raised-seam or flat-seam baseballs to #TrainLikeAPro.