Baseball is one of America’s favorite pastimes and the official balls used in Major League Baseball (MLB) must meet strict standards set by the MLB itself. Baseballs are an integral part of the game, and their quality and construction are of the utmost importance. So, where are most MLB baseballs made?
The Rawlings Sporting Goods Company
The Rawlings Sporting Goods Company has been the official supplier of baseballs to the MLB since 1977. The company is based in St. Louis, Missouri and has been manufacturing baseballs for over a century. The Rawlings facility in Costa Rica is where most MLB baseballs are made. The company has a long and proud history of producing high-quality products and has been the official supplier of baseballs to the MLB since 1977.
Rawlings’ Costa Rica Facility
Rawlings’ Costa Rica facility is a state-of-the-art production facility that produces MLB baseballs for the MLB. The facility is located in the city of Turrialba, which is located in the province of Cartago in Costa Rica. The facility is equipped with the latest technology and employs a highly skilled workforce that is dedicated to producing the highest quality baseballs. The facility is ISO 9001 certified, which is an internationally recognized standard for quality management systems.
The Manufacturing Process
The process of making a baseball is a complex one. It starts with selecting the finest raw materials, which include top-grade leather, wool, cork, yarn, and rubber. The leather and wool are tanned and dyed according to exact specifications. The cork is cut and shaped before it is inserted into the center of the baseball. The yarn is then wound around the cork to create the core of the baseball. The rubber is then molded into the shape of the ball and the stitching is added. Finally, the baseball is finished off with Rawlings’ trademark red and blue stitching.
Conclusion
Baseball is a beloved sport in the United States and the baseballs used in the MLB must meet strict standards. The Rawlings Sporting Goods Company has been the official supplier of baseballs to the MLB since 1977 and the majority of these baseballs are made at their facility in Costa Rica. The facility is equipped with the latest technology and employs a highly skilled workforce that is dedicated to producing high-quality baseballs. The process of making a baseball is a complex one, but the result is a baseball that meets the exacting standards of the MLB.