Juiced Ball Conspiracy--You Bet

by user Awrigh01

Although early in the season, homeruns are up 10.6% over last year. A traditional non-slugger like the Detroit Tigers's Chris Shelton has mashed 6 homreruns. Am I alone in noticing that the ball has been soaring out of the seeminlyg stingy Comerica Park?

With steroids now banned and baseball embroiled in the Barry Bonds drama, is it a stretch to imagine commissioner Bud Selig, once a used car salesman, authorizing juiced baseballs. What better way to distract fans from the MLB's problems then to give the fans more homeruns. As everyone knows--Chicks Digg the Long Ball

However, there is a subtle beauty to the idea of juicing a baseball. Rawlings Baseball is the exclusive supplier of balls to Major League Baseball. How easy would it be for Mr. Selig to call up Rawlings and ask them to wind the balls a little tighter. Just a little bit tighter. Baseball is a game of inches. Who will know? No-one.

The problem with steroids is that the MLB cannot legally condone performance enhancing drugs, even though the produce tangible benefits for the game--more exiciting play. Plus, steriods use looks bad for the game of baseball. The decision on whether or not to juice a baseball is different. It would be difficult for baseball to be caught making a minor ajustment to a ball's production.

Date
Fri 04/14/06, 7:21 am EST