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The invention
Somewhere between 1839 and 1845 the first (official) baseball was invented by a boy named Ellis Drake, who made innovations off previously known balls from games like "round ball" in which the balls were in constant repair. Source: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/44049012/the-evolution-of-baseball/ -
The first Standardized Baseball
Upon the founding of the National League in 1876, a pitcher named A.G. Spalding had a design of a rubber core and a more uniform outer cover and it was adopted by the National League in the same year. Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1676509-the-evolution-of-the-baseball-from-the-dead-ball-era-through-today -
Cork Cores
During this time the cork cores were secretly introduced in the world series of 1910. Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1676509-the-evolution-of-the-baseball-from-the-dead-ball-era-through-today -
Machine Winders
In 1920, machines were now being used to wined baseballs and a new higher grade yarn was introduced to be wrapped around the baseball. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_(ball) -
"Cushion Cork" Center
IN 1925 Milton B. Reach patented the "cushion cork" center which had black semi-vulcanized rubber surrounding a sphere of cork and the outer black semi-vulcanized rubber was surrounded by red rubber.
Source: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-the-baseball-3685086/ -
The Standard
The American League and the National League agreed on standard baseball. The new ball consisted of "Yarn windings consist first of 121 yards (of) gray wool, forty-five yards of white wool then 53 yards of fine gray wool and 150 yards of fine white cotton. After these layers have been added to the sphere, it is coated with rubber cement",as stated in the new york times. Each ball also had 108 stitches. Source: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-the-baseball-3685086/ -
Cowhide
In 1974 the MLB switched the cover of the baseball from a cover of horsehide to a cover of cowhide. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_(ball)
