MLB has a muddy balls problem, a breakdown 

That layover was so sick. Makes you realize batters usually have no idea what's coming their way

Rubbing the balls for the prescribed 30 seconds could result in wildly different results depending on the technique and enthusiasm of the person rubbing the balls.

I was a MLB batboy for three years in the 80s and one of my responsibilities was to prep the game balls. It was a lot less structured back then but you did hear from pitchers about what they liked/didn't. I did a dozen dozen at the beginning of every homestand and between 3-6 more per game depending on how many got burned in the previous game. We used the same ball bag and didn't toss any out until the end of the homestand at which point they went to the BP and cage bags. We used a specific kind of mud but I can't tell you where it was sourced. The bottom of the bag was the same balls at the end of the homestand that went in at the start if it. Only once did I ever come close to running out of prepped balls. I was down to about a half dozen in the bag and 5-6 in the umps pouch in the bottom of the 9th. I have never before and never since rooted for my team to make three quick outs. But I did that inning. At the end of the game, the balls are stored in the umpires locker room. When I brought the bag in immediately after the game, the HP ump tossed his pouch balls in the bag and saw how close we came to to running out. He snapped a look at me and was ready to tear me a new one but stopped. (I was 15). I think he could tell by the expression on my face I knew and didn't need to be told anything. It never happened again.

The behind-the-scenes breakdown is the perfect example of why I gave up playing baseball after 8th grade. Once pitchers started learning how to throw breaking balls, it was game over for me.

That quick improvisation at the 2min mark to show us viewers the similarities in the pitcher's pitches was next level big jimmay! Great behind the scenes work 💪

i love how he turned into pitching ninja for a minute 😂

For those that havent played baseball, or maybe werent a pitcher: "Pearls" are what we call fresh, new baseballs. There's almost a thin layer of wax or something similar on brand new baseballs that give them a really slick feel and make them almost impossible to grip naturally. Thats how Tepera can tell instantly that the balls weren't rubbed down. It's actually a really big deal, and I've likened it to trying to throw a cue ball (pool/billiards) when the balls aren't prepped before being brought into the game. It's also not really something Tepera can fix while already on the mound, by the time it gets to the pitcher its too late.

Jomboy, I used to be a batboy for the Vermont Lake Monsters when they were the Oakland A's short season affiliate. The umpires were tasked with rubbing 6 dozen baseballs per game which usually lasted about 6 innings, and the clubhouse rubbed another 5 dozen per game, which usually had to go through a through review process by that day's starting pitcher. We stored game day balls in a boiler room in a ball bag which helped keep them fresh. Happy to discuss further!

This would be a perfect video for a manscaped sponsor

That behind the scenes part was pretty cool

Jomboy too generous with these 'Behind-The-Scene' layovers. Such a thing of beauty.

“That was worthwhile” yes it was jimmy

You could see right from the beginning those balls weren’t rubbed up. They were way too white. They honestly look like they had just been taken out of the box. The balls usually look a litte dirty cause of the mud but those looked like brand new, untouched baseballs

Speaking of the wedding ring he was wearing, apparently that is not allowed. Graham Ashcraft was pitching with a wedding band on his GLOVE HAND, and the umpire made him remove it. MLB needs to be more consistent with this stuff.

Seems kind of odd that nobody has developed an automated way of applying mud to a baseball. Some machine that could be in each clubhouse that would apply the standard mud texture to each ball.

From experience, the MLB has their own people inspect every single game ball hours before the game and there is a strict chain of custody from the second the balls are inspected to the umps receiving them. Any balls with too much or too little mud is rejected. It is a standardized process across the league and the amount of mud on each batch of balls is recorded with pictures of a random sample and sent to NY each game. The fact that these balls are so white is a mistake on the part of MLB personnel not the teams.

Man... you're actually getting better. You're about the only content creator I can watch every video from without even really caring what's going on. Your commentary is perfect. Perfect video length for the appropriate content. Easy to follow yet immersive overlays. No bias. Conscice information. Everything is wonderfully balanced. Just hope you know we appreciate your persona and work. Thank you. (fully understanding of sponsors especially with how you subtly throw it in but promoting gambling is the only criticism)

Jomboy with the Adobe Premiere tips along with a breakdown, what a pro.

Id love to see that stacking thing with knuckleballs or maddux

That last minute decision to do the pitch comparison on the fly could've been the whole video, great stuff. It's so odd that baseball relies so heavily not just on getting mud on the balls, but getting **specific** mud from a **secret spot** somewhere in New Jersey to keep the league standardized. What a sport.

"unwritten rules are stupid" Sees this video: "written rules are also stupid"

love the on the fly editing

That layover is amazing. It shows clearly how the effect arrives in the last 5-10 feet before plate. Great video man!

Was a clubbie for the home side of an mlb team for a few seasons (we had separate home and away clubbies), and it was our job to mud the balls before the game. This was before the new rules were in place. We probably did about 20 boxes at a time so they lasted a few games. Our pitchers often had input on how they wanted the balls mudded that we definitely obliged, some didn't care but others were very particular and would always drop in when we were doing it to give feedback. One guy always said "i want em black" which we always had issues with because he wasn't happy until there was a solid layer of crust on the balls, which the umpires wouldnt be happy about come game time when we filled their pouches.

Doing the layover of the pitches live was phenomenal. More of that.

Was a MLB stat nerd growing up. Couldn't watch enough baseball any level. Then I just got bored 10+ years ago. You're pulling me back. Thanks!

Videos like this are why I love Jomboy's channel, deciding to go back to edit midway through the voiceover, same with the facecam shenanigans

I used to work for a AA professional team, I was responsible for “muddying” all the game balls before hand. I believe it was special mud from the Nile River. Seriously. Kinda cool Edit: yes, I’d have pitchers come to me and tell me what balls to put in the game bag ball sack. (Yes I said ball sack) Some would have deeper laces for more break etc.

You should show more pitches like that 100%. Definitely shows the skill of the pitcher in an insanely precise way. It is easier to compare all pitchers in general that way too by seeing their own personal ball game all in one throw.

The issue with Tepera being a drama queen is situations like this, where he's probably right, but you just end up writing it off as drama queen stuff.

The editing on the fly was so fun I love how Jomboy is always doing something different.

Thank you for giving us a little inside look at what you go through to give us the amazing content you provide. Love you Jomboy

Does anyone remember that episode of Dirty Jobs where Mike visited the guy who collects and supplies all the mud for MLB balls?

When I lived in Seattle I was friends with the guy that muddied the baseballs. He was the concierge to the umpires. He did their laundry and told them where they could get the food they wanted or whatever they asked for. During the game he’d go into the crowd and give gifts to special kids and welcome them. He did other things too. Every summer when my parents would visit he’d get us seats right behind home plate that only the umpires and players families could get.

I loved being able to see Jomboy’s thoughtprocess through editing. From the overlay to the math on how many baseballs. Real as it gets

A+ on the improv editing jomboy! Another reason I love this channel is the geek out over the intricacies of baseball

Jake “Muddy Balls” Storiale

You can easily cut that process down to 20 to 30 minutes by using two or three people. But there's nothing wrong with having one guy spend an hour rubbing up baseballs

Cool editing and showing us in-depth the ball movements! Thanks

Most informative video I’ve seen in some time. Thank you for explaining the ball rubdown. Your quick videos sidebar was wizard. Pitchers are magicians. Keep doing your thang! Thx

Respect for all the work you put in. Thank you

I recall in the 70's and 80's, the average was 60 balls a game. Balls stayed in the game longer back then. Now most balls batted foul are taken out of the game, usually tossed in the stands to the fans. The 3rd out of the inning if its a fly ball to the outfield is also usually also tossed into the stands. So this will continue to be a problem unless they have a process to ensure every ball put in a game is thoroughly inspected beforehand.

Loved that edit of you placing those two pitches together. The bts was cool.

I really liked seeing how you edit, your editing is always something I appreciate about your videos!

Love the vids jomboy you should do a video of the weirdest rules and a play that uses each of them just an idea love the vids

You're the GOAT Jomboy, never change!!

This was like the closest jomboy video to a stream we'll get 😂 so much behind the scenes, calculator work, love it

Love your stuff, Jomboy. Keep doing what you do man.

Im surprised the process of properly Muddying baseballs, hasn’t been addressed earlier in the MLB as something to make more consistent that’s extremely integral to the game with wild inconsistencies for years. I was a batboy for the Tacoma Rainiers, Seattle Mariners AAA team in 2007-09 while in high school, and home and away ball boys would show up to the field (Cheney Stadium) 4 hours prior to the game to do our pregame duties of which was running down 12 dozen baseballs every day, which we did in “the hole” a under the stadium seating, on the downslope, in a large storage type room. We’d store them in the Rawlings boxes then transfer to the ball bucket that Fit a good size amount for the game. The mud used was a specific mud that all the teams used, which is Mississippi Mud, and I’m Fairly certain has been used for a very long time and is consistent in the type of fine grit sandy mud that would lightly scuff off the slickness of the baseball converting it out of the pearl state. When we’d apply the mud we’d open the jar and mix a small cup full with large dollop with a little water to make a thinned out slurry. Definitely not an exact science. Then I’d apply a little with dipping my thumb pad into the mud and onto the bottom of the horseshoe, in a circular motion then rub it in by swiping it up the ball to apply it consistently, and continue to do the same in segments all around the ball, careful to not get them in the seams. You’d get really good and consistent with it after running down thousands of balls. But consistency is key. So to not see a potential irregularity of the process of muddying balls up, is surprising, I’m glad they’re ironing it out now developing a process league wide. One of the best jobs I’ve ever had by the way. Watch night games from the best seat in the house on a bucket, spittin seeds and slugging Gatorade’s, handing balls of to the blue when he’s signal over with his hands the number of balls he needed. I didn’t know about red man at that time, that woulda been real nice.

I am surprised, and didn't know pitchers are allowed to pitch with rings (wedding rings or otherwise). Seems like that would go against the standards of not roughing up the balls too much.

the fact you did the overlay so quick you got talent bro and passion i love it jommmy!

Jimmy love the video dude always been fascinated and loved your editing style glad you gave us a look at it

even though youre a NYY fanboy, i give you props for your breakdowns and editing skills man. that fastball slider comparison was def cool to watch you edit in realtime. bravo

I'm surprised Umpire didn't throw him out. Good job blue! It's a low bar but we have all seen guys get tossed for less.

I will always love the overlay pitches. It truly shows the difficulty of hitting and skill of pitching unlike anything else

Jomboy INCREDIBLE edit on this one. Loved the overlay. So frickin cool.

Jomboy has pulled it off yet again…

I never fail to learn something when watching a Jomboy video. My son caught a flyball at a game and it had a nice muddy sheen to it, and certainly not a pearl.

love the editing and visual for that, insane pitches

Loved that behind the scenes look. Not that it wasn't obvious before, but it just shows how much you love what you do!

I didn't know this was going on. MLB having a lot of weird problems

really appreciate you getting to the nitty gritty problems with the mlb. more exposure means a better game in the long term. thanks jomboy

honeslty cool little edit you made there, I like the behind the scenes stuff really cool!

Really liked the layover sequence. Super interesting and cool to watch

not only is this man teaching everyone how to watch and love baseball, but we’re also getting a free editing lesson?! Womboy Wedia

Fun fact: all mud they rub on the balls comes from one family run company that dredges it from the Delaware river. It’s also like total worth $200 total a year.

That mid video editing was top tier. What a pro you are. Good stuff my friend and great video

Best part of the video is a quick overlay side note to Jimmy but also added to the (getting real long) list of why he should get an Emmy. Amazing work my guy.

A number of years ago Mike Rowe did a segment on “Dirty Jobs” about the people who collected all the “special mud” to mud up all the MLB balls with, along with the process of going it. Apparently the mud is very special and the location is kept a secret. Maybe MLB no longer used this mud and process

I appreciate Jomboy. However my love for baseball has waned considerably since last year. I’m an A’s fan. The way they do business is just to shit on the fans. They get us in that shitty ass stadium, get great players, don’t pay them, then ship them off once it’s time to pay. You can never buy a jersey because they’ll be gone as soon as they get good. Now they’re the worst team in baseball, stadium staff at the coliseum seems hellbent on making the fan experience terrible or uncomfortable, the owner could care less about fans or rings, and MLB baseball is only too happy to make sure them leaving Oakland after 55 years is all but certain. MLB is dying these days and they’re willing to waive a billion dollar relocation fee just so the team is worth a shit. Oakland A’s are the last dive bar in baseball. Maybe if the warriors owner could buy the A’s. That would be great, probably the only one that can turn it around. Sorry for the rant, nice video jom. 👍🏻

Really liked the live edit breakdown! Doesn’t need to be for every video but it is a nice little treat

Very cool showing the 2 pitches, love your videos.

this would have been a perfect place for a Manscaped ad in the intro

“Get more mud when you rub: Roman.”

That was really cool showing the pitches overlayed. Showing how you do it us super cool

sometimes a random video just parts the kimono and shows you so much cool stuff at once. i loved that pitch onion skinning and explanation

I don't even like sports. I just like watching you for you awesome commentary, breakdowns, and technical stuff like comparing those 2 pitches. Keep up the good work!

Laughed each time at "ballbag."

This behind the scenes business is BOMB! So cool keep doing this!!

This was a fantastic breakdown of the new guidelines and such. Loved the on the fly math to figure out how long it takes per game. Also the impromptu overlay in Premiere was fantastic.

my uncle lived right down the road from where the special "MLB Baseball Mud" is collected, or at least where they had been collecting it for years, my uncle died like 10 years ago so I don't know if they still do

I like when you cover weird sports like Sumo wrestling, do more of that please!

Pretty cool showing the layover and how you do it. Best wishes from Toronto.

Great editing on the fly and once again an informative video...

lmao the on the fly editing was hilarious

Can you make a video on how many balls an mlb game goes through ? Or why they change it every time it hits dirt

The overlay of those two pitches is amazing. Glad you threw it in there and made it look so easy 🤣

Glad you made a video. It has been blatantly obvious in some games that a pitcher is way down on spin/velo/control. They lick their fingers like crazy, use the rosin a ton and just look really unnatural. Jays fan here, and some of the best examples come against the Yankees themselves. The game where Judge hit a 3 run nuke off Romano to walk it off is a good one, where Jordan was all over his fingers in that inning, couldnt control anything and just gave up throwing the heater, as he was pitching 2nd day in a row, throwing 6MPH below his top velo and couldnt locate at all. Just started throwing sliders on repeat. The other example was a Nestor start in Toronto. Nesty has been great so far, but in that start it was obvious from the first pitch something was up. He had no control and was all over the rosin bag, but never found his control and got yanked in the 4th. Manoah also had one start in Cleveland where the balls where clearly bothering him. MLB needs to get their shit together and just be consistent about it.

I've never had this thought but I wonder if the MLB would do this now that they're more accepting of some things. At the start of every half inning the ump gives the pitcher a clean new ball and the pitcher has one of those small cannisters of ball mud he can use as little or as much of to get the ball prepped to his liking. All totally above the board, MLB knows precisely what's going on the ball BUT the pitcher gets to use the mud to their preference. Seems legit.

It’s classic how we finally get a Mariners breakdown now that they’re on a huge win streak but it’s not of a recent game, it’s from back when we were getting rolled

i always love when you segue into an ad with a relevant point or joke

Jomboy has made me so much more of a baseball fan for knowing the little pitcher/batter/catcher gamesmanship, the exacting nature of pitching, etc. Thanks Jomboy!

A few weeks ago i saw one of the Blue Jays pitchers do exactly the same thing, must have tossed 10 balls away that looked perfectly white, clearly hadn't been roughed up enough. What's next? Robot balls and strikes, and automated baseball preppers.

MLB continues to make a mockery of the game and chase fans away. What idiots. For anyone who has ever pitched, even in LL - you have new balls, you have no idea where the darn thing is going.

Love the editing skills Jimmy!

The live editing was amazing just the small look behind the scenes

Considering the movement he was getting throwing those "pearls", I don't think the rubbing had much to do with grip if anything. I think it's one of those old tradition things that baseball hates to eliminate. I honestly never could tell the difference between rubbed balls and new balls out of the box when I pitched. My biggest problem was dry hands - some guys are natural sweaters but I'm not. I was continually stepping off to lick my fingers to get a grip.

Seems like the MLB needs to invest in an automated muddying machine to ensure all balls go through the exact same process in an acceptable timeframe. Who wants to muddy a ball by hand? Sounds like slog work.

I don’t even watch baseball but your breakdowns are so fun and interesting.

I like seeing behind the scenes of what you’re editing. The, how you say, inside baseball