TAMPA, Fla. -- New York Yankees' hitters involved in testing a ball that has undergone a factory rubbing at a factory have issues with the prototype's color.
"I was asked what I thought, and I thought it was too dark," outfielder Brett Gardner said. "The ball felt the same coming off the bat. I'd just like to see the ball be a little more of a white shade so it's a little easier for the hitters to see."
The objective of the tests, conducted during spring training, is to develop a ball that eliminates the need for the umpires' room attendants to apply Delaware River mud mixed with water on about eight dozen new balls before each game.