June 12, 2006
Clemens Comeback
Roger Clemens threw six shutout innings for the Corpus Christi Hooks last night, tying a team record with eleven strikeouts. Roger credited the ball:
The Astros received permission from the Texas League for Clemens to use an official major-league baseball, and Clemens noticed an improvement with his command.
"There is a small difference," Clemens said. "I would say to the average person there's a small difference. For me there's a big difference. It's just the way the balls are. Minor-league balls and major-league balls are different — not much on the seams but the coating. It was just a difference. Having that in my hand and working out there, I was able to maneuver the ball around the strike zone the way I wanted to."
I didn't realize there was a difference in the ball between the major and minor leagues. You would think that the ball should be the same, so that pitchers being called up have to make one less adjustment.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:34 AM
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that is VERY interesting
i wonder why i haven't read about any other pitcher saying that
Is this just some mysterious difference that only Roger Clemens can detect?
What does a minor league ball cost? What does a major league ball cost? Is a minor league ball kept in play longer and therefore made of different, more durable materials?
having no real knowledge of the difference in construction between major and minor league balls, i'm just guessing: i think the real difference in in clemens' head. he probably just wants to use a major league ball b/c he 'thinks' it's better. also, he's probably down playing the fact that more practice makes him better, and that deflects questions about his age and ability.
Could there be a difference in how the umpires rub down the balls before the game?
They did mention both the fact of the different ball and what Clemens thought about it on the ESPN broadcast.
