MLB has safeguards in place for game balls

Procedures went into effect at start of the season, not as reaction to NFL’s Deflategate.

NEW YORK — Even before Tom Brady was penalized, Major League Baseball boosted its prevent defense.

As part of a new security plan this season to further safeguard game balls, an MLB representative now watches them get carried by a clubhouse assistant from the umpires’ room to the field.

And if the supply of eight dozen balls or so runs low during a game, an MLB security person is sent to retrieve more.

In the past, a ball boy or ball girl did those jobs alone.

MLB said many changes in the pumped-up policy for ball security and storage were discussed by equipment managers in December at the winter meetings. That was more than a month before Brady and the New England Patriots were accused of deflating footballs in the AFC championship game.

MLB said it was aware of the Patriots’ situation as it put the procedures into effect on opening day at every stadium.

Brady was suspended for four games by the NFL on Monday. The Patriots were fined $1 million and lost two future draft picks.

“Obviously, there’s not as much that you can do to baseballs,” Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson said. “I mean, you can’t change the density of the baseball at any point — unless you dunk them in water. Then they’re going to be nine ounces, and everyone’s going to blow their arms out.

“If you’re playing on turf and a guy hits a screaming one-hopper to the shortstop, it’s going to have a huge scuff on it. Certain pitchers can create an advantage with that, so that’s why they throw those baseballs out.”

There have been plenty of pitchers who have tried to doctor balls, with mixed results.

The balls that Rawlings supplies to major league clubs are fairly standard, weighing between five and 51⁄4 ounces.

MLB sent a memo to all 30 teams before opening day with a nine-step procedure on ball handling. Along with the policy on storage — around 70 degrees, about 50% humidity — there were guidelines on chain of command.

Home teams store the new balls during the season, and the umpires’ clubhouse attendants usually rub up nearly 100 for each game.

When they’re taken to the field, an MLB authenticator follows them. That person is hired by an outside company to document balls and other game-used items.

“I’d say a ball averages only two pitches, and not too many things can happen when you foul a pitch into the stands,” Wilson said.