$50 reward! Help on Video proof for ICHIRO's ACTUAL 1ST YANKEE HIT BALL!

[al3xmac10]

I have an MLB-authenticated game used baseball of Russell Martin's 3rd inning groundout on the July 23, 2010 game at Seattle.
The MLB hologram # is [EK242013].

Yankees 4 - 1 Mariners
Win = Hiroki Kuroda
Loss = Kevin Millwood
Save = Soriano

However, I think that this ball is also the actual ball slapped by Ichiro to center field for his 1st hit as a New York Yankee.
Here is the play-by-play for the top of the 3rd inning:

A Jones struck out swinging.
I Suzuki singled to center.
I Suzuki stole second.
R Martin grounded out to second, I Suzuki to third.
D Jeter grounded out to second.



I found this video of Ichiro's 1st hit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YB5J...eature=related

In this fan video, after the Ichiro hit, the outfielder throws it in to the 2nd baseman, the 2nd baseman tosses it to the shortstop, and the shortstop tosses the ball back to the pitcher. From what it looks like, the ball hit by Ichiro could have been used on the next batter (Russell Martin).

However, in the TV coverage, SINCE THE HIT OF ICHIRO WAS REPLAYED ON THE TELECAST, IT WAS NOT SHOWN IF PITCHER (Kevin Millwood) USED THE SAME BALL (Ichiro's 1st Yankee hit ball) TO PITCH TO RUSSELL MARTIN.
In addition, it can be verified from the TV telecast that only 1 ball was used during Martin's at bat until he grounded out.

Here is my request:
Ultimately, I would like to request the help of someone who had an in-stadium video of this game's 3rd inning (or someone who has a contact with YES Network/Steiner), to provide the lost footage between Ichiro's hit and the first pitch of Russell Martin's at-bat, and prove beyond reasonable doubt whether one ball was used in Ichiro's at-bat and Russell Martin's at-bat or not.

I offer $50 to anyone who can help in solving this mystery.

Thank you very much for your time and help!

[al3xmac10]

Hoping someone can help, thank you!

[coxfan]

I hope someone can help, but I've looked at MLB.com's video that's given with the "box" and play-by-play on their scoreboard calendar for 7-23-12. That video seems to show that new ball was thrown in at the start of Ichiro's AB. The pitch on the stolen base may have scraped the ground in front of the catcher, but I can't tell for sure. Unfortunately, there's no way to tell from that video if a new ball was thrown in either after the hit or the stolen base. Since his hit got a lot of outfield grass, there may be some grass stains on that hit ball.

I know this doesn't help much, but I hope everybody knows how to use MLB.com's "scoreboard" calendar (under the "Scores" tab) to go back to old games. Sometimes video of key moments is there, along with the play-by-play which includes a description of each pitch in the game.

[dplettn]

coxfan, I believe his project is trying to look at 7-23-10, rather than 7-23-12. You may have accidentally typed 2 for 0 in year though.

This thread is very intriguing for me. I have been passionate about hit balls for quite some time (my focus is Joey Votto). An authentication in the database often only details the last event the ball was pitched. It can include more if the authenticator took notes of her observance.

It can be disappointing that certain balls aren't authenticated for their greatest relevance, but we all need to realize how amazing MLB's authentication program is and look at this within the appropriate context. With the NFL in contrast, the only way anybody can discern the specifics of use is through photo-matching or notes the equipment room may take.

Grass staining can be useful. For example, Joey Votto's 600th hit came out of play one pitch later, on a pitch into dirt. So visual evidence of grass staining was huge. But there are limitations. Beyond risk of an unethical person altering an item, grass stains fade dramatically over time. Ultimately, I would imagine the only person to whom such evidence can really matter is the 1st owner.

MLB Authentications is already the gold standard. It would be an added attribute if someday they are able (for a fee) to do video research in archives of certain custody to verify whether a ball was kept in play between an event of significance and the event to which a ball is already authenticated.

Good luck in your quest.

_______________________________

I collect Joey Votto and Jay Bruce game used memorabilia. Please contact me if you have anything available for sale or trade: plettner at fuse dot net.

[yanks12025]

Ichiro wasn't a yankee in 2010. The op made a mistake saying 2010.

[coxfan]

The date was definitely 7-23-12, as mlb.com's "Scoreboard" for that date has almost 3 minutes of video showing his 1st NYY hit and stolen base from several angles. Ironically, many Seattle fans came to that game thinking he was still a Mariner, only to be shocked to learn he'd just been traded to the visitor's dugout!

One ball I had started with a grass stain, but it chemically morphed into a dirt stain after a few weeks. But a clear indication in this case might be how dirty the ball looks (remembering that all game-used balls start with the "mud-rub" in the umps' locker room.) If the ball was used for a single that rolled as much in the OF grass as the video shows; than stayed in play for several pitches plus a steal attempt; it should be looking a lot dirtier than it did when first thrown into play at the start of Ichiro's AB. A ball used only for Martin's groundout wouldn't be as dirtied.

[dplettn]

Understood on the year for this particular ball/event (2012).

Logic that a ball should be looking dirtier the longer it was in play sounds intuitive. However, random dirtiness does not provide clarity even if you can eliminate risk of foul play. A couple years ago I got lucky being speculative once in finding evidence. But I haven't speculated again since. Certainty would almost always be fleeting and that would drive me batty.

Whether we already have clarity as individual owners of a particular ball or not, I think it would be beneficial to preserving items with relevance if there were a way to officially have your research done by MLB Authentications (for a fee) using archived video beyond what is available in the games broadcast (as directed). The culture of baseball is one which cherishes history and there were parameters to make such research possible, it would serve that historical appreciation.

Still, its an idea and not a complaint. I'm thankful for what MLB Authentication already does provide.

[al3xmac10]

Thanks for everyone's replies.
Yes, this ball was used 7/23/2012.
Here are more pics, the ball has dirt marks:





Hope someone from MLB/YES/Seattle can help, thanks for everyone's interest!

[coxfan]

Though admittedly speculative, that ball looks to me like it rolled through the outfield. The only possibility for that would be Ichiro's hit, but the lack of certainty is often frustrating with g-u items.

MLB.com's video, showing several angles, is all from YES. Have you tried going to the YES website and e-mailing some contact addresses there? You might get lucky.

Occasionally MLB authenticates more than one use of a ball, but that's rare. I think mlb.com's current auction has a ball that is authenticated both for an intentional BB to Harper, and also for the immediate prior use of the ball. They probably were paying extra attention because Harper was coming up. A procedure for authenticating multiple uses is trickier; maybe in the future.

[al3xmac10]

I did send emails to MLB, YES Network and Steiner Sports asking for their help in authenticating the baseball, but only Mr. JJ Molesso of Steiner Sports sent me a reply.
He said:

"You would need to contact the league directly.
We can't authenticate something we did not witness firsthand, that's a MLB or YES network issue."

I asked him if he knows someone from YES who can help, but have not received a reply.