LEBRECHTMEDIA
MLB is continuing to tighten the protocols of rubbing baseballs with mud before games to reduce the slickness of the leather, according to a source familiar with the regulations.
The changes began midway through last season and resulted in more uniform condition of the baseballs. Home team employees rub the baseballs. Some did so as early as 24 hours before the game and stored them in large bags. Pitchers found that the baseballs used late in games—the ones from the bottom of the bag—often were the slickest because the mud had dried and dusty residue from other baseballs or the bag itself settled on them.
