Fascinating new research reveals the mysterious science behind Lena Blackburn baseball mud, a special substance used to make Major League Baseball (MLB) baseballs easier to grip .
The mud, collected from a secret location in New Jersey, has been a staple of the sport since 1938, according to . study Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Improves the pitcher’s grip by reducing ball slippage.
Researchers discovered that this mud has a unique combination of clay, water, and sand, making it ideal for use in baseballs. The research team tested the properties of the mud by performing a series of mechanical analyses, using an instrument that simulates the effect of a human grip on a baseball. The fine clay particles in the mud fill the pores in the leather and increase adhesion, while the sand grains provide additional friction.
“It goes on like a face cream, but it grips like sandpaper. It has this magical ability,” said study co-author Doug Gero, a geophysicist at the University of Pennsylvania. mac says said NBC News. (Related: MLB owners currently in ‘active discussions’ to sell league’s worst franchise: report)
Happy birthday to the late Lena Blackburn of Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania. 8 years @MLB career; he is best known for creating baseball mud, which is used to remove the finish on new baseballs and improve pitchers’ grip and control. According to the company… pic.twitter.com/6yybcd8tIK
— Larry from Missouri (@LarryInMissouri) October 23, 2024
What is notable about Rubbing Mud is that despite efforts to replace it with synthetic alternatives, no viable replacement has been found. MLB I tried it In 2016, baseballs were coated with an undisclosed substance, leading to mixed reactions from players. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced The league announced it would partner with Dow Chemical to create an “all-white” ball in 2023. But the project hasn’t developed anything substantial, MLB officials told NBC News.
The material originated from an undisclosed location along a tributary of the Delaware River. Blackburn, who was the third base coach for the Philadelphia Athletics, was the driving force behind this discovery.
Jim Bintliff, who collects the mud, told NBC News that the treated mud looks like “cold cream or hard pudding.”
“This mud acts as a super-fine abrasive, removing shiny coatings without damaging the leather or laces,” Bintliff said.
The researchers speculated that the mud’s properties could inspire new uses for sustainable materials.
