Rawlings OMLB History

[AWA85]

Are they any pages that have the baseballs that were used each season, for each league? I am searching for what baseballs were used in 1988 to see ink transfers and only am finding All Star balls that had a dark blue, looks like American League had a light blue, did the National League have black or the same light blue?

Any info or links would be a great help! Thank you

[Birdbats]

Maybe this will help: http://keymancollectibles.com/officialbaseballs.htm

[joelsabi]

Adam,

look here.

http://photos.bigleaguebaseballs.com/

[AWA85]

Thank you, exactly what I am looking for! Really appreciate the help.

[xpress34]

AWA -

I have been collecting Baseballs for a long time (as well as having done a four year stint for Rawlings at Coors Field)...

Until 1901 there were various balls being used (Lemon Peels, 'Belted' Balls even the early 'Figure 8's').

In 1901 Reach created the 'Official American League Ball' in conjunction with the birth of the American League. Red and Blue Stitched with Blue Print.

Spalding was the maker of the 'Official National League Ball' since sometime in the late 1800's. Red and Black Stitched with Black Print.

(Like many things, Reach and Spalding were one in the same as far as the balls were concerned, but each Company was given a league).

And so it went until 1933.

In 1934, both Leagues went to all Red stitching but retained their Blue and Black Printing.

This continued until the mid 70's when Rawlings took over the balls for BOTH Leagues while still keeping the Black and Blue Print.

Rawlings also started the Special All Star Balls (1979) and World Series Balls (1978) for the 50th and 75th Anniversaries (respectively).

In 2000, the two League balls were scrapped for the Official Major League Ball that we see today.

Opening Day 2000 was the 'Millenium Ball' which was printed with Silver Ink.

Opening Day 2001 was a special Red Ink Ball.

The All Star Balls were either Red or Blue Ink (after Rawlings started making the special balls) depending on the year until they went to the 'team colored' multi stitch balls for the All Star Game in 1992. World Series Balls were Red Ink (after Rawlings started making the special balls) until they changed to the Gold Print for World Series Balls in 2000.