Whether Dr. Rahr was a color analyst or architect, it seems he was ultimately color blind about the concept of a yellow ball. Baseball players are a superstitious lot, so I imagine some might have liked a yellow ball if they were winning. To me, it would have been a deal breaker when it was discovered the yellow balls were not colorfast. Eeesh, who wants yellow hands, not to mention what it did to the palm of the glove. (Yes, I am OCD. ☺️) How long after the tragic Chapman incident in 1920 did batting helmets get adopted? And how much after that did the helmets have the attached ear/jaw protection? This was a fascinating read, Paul. Glad I neglected my work to read it.
Superstition and habit are at least cousins, aren't they? For both reasons the change was going to be an uphill battle with the players. You make a great point about the dye that I didn't mention--I couldn't find out what it was, and I REALLY wanted to know! I was hoping the good "Dr." filed for a patent so I could at least partly find out, but no luck. I am sure whatever it was was horrible and something we don't even let people touch today.
Here's a really interesting article on the evolution of the helmet. You will find one name familiar--Larry MacPhail pioneered the first team-mandated helmet in 1941, but the experiment didn't catch on. Helmets were required as of 1957 but it took almost 15 years before the requirement was fully enforced. Ear flaps weren't required until 1983 and the jaw guard, called a "c-flap" has only been around for about seven years. The "c" is a nod to its inventor, a former Braves' team physician named Robert Crow.
Gland you enjoyed the story--don't get in trouble with work, though!
I had no idea of the yellow ball experiment either. I can just imagine what the value would be today on one. I’d just love to see one. The Yankees have a museum so I’m gonna visit it when I go in a few weeks. If they have one I will take pics.
That's a great question, Jeff. As far as I know the one in the Hall of Fame is one of the few still extant, though who knows what people have sitting in a box somewhere. Unless one goes up for sale, I believe it is technically accurate to say a yellow ball is priceless.
I had no idea about this. I love learning about weird movements in baseball.
Weird movements are definitely a staple around here!
Whether Dr. Rahr was a color analyst or architect, it seems he was ultimately color blind about the concept of a yellow ball. Baseball players are a superstitious lot, so I imagine some might have liked a yellow ball if they were winning. To me, it would have been a deal breaker when it was discovered the yellow balls were not colorfast. Eeesh, who wants yellow hands, not to mention what it did to the palm of the glove. (Yes, I am OCD. ☺️) How long after the tragic Chapman incident in 1920 did batting helmets get adopted? And how much after that did the helmets have the attached ear/jaw protection? This was a fascinating read, Paul. Glad I neglected my work to read it.
Superstition and habit are at least cousins, aren't they? For both reasons the change was going to be an uphill battle with the players. You make a great point about the dye that I didn't mention--I couldn't find out what it was, and I REALLY wanted to know! I was hoping the good "Dr." filed for a patent so I could at least partly find out, but no luck. I am sure whatever it was was horrible and something we don't even let people touch today.
Here's a really interesting article on the evolution of the helmet. You will find one name familiar--Larry MacPhail pioneered the first team-mandated helmet in 1941, but the experiment didn't catch on. Helmets were required as of 1957 but it took almost 15 years before the requirement was fully enforced. Ear flaps weren't required until 1983 and the jaw guard, called a "c-flap" has only been around for about seven years. The "c" is a nod to its inventor, a former Braves' team physician named Robert Crow.
Gland you enjoyed the story--don't get in trouble with work, though!
https://news.sportslogos.net/2022/04/21/the-birth-of-baseballs-batting-helmet/baseball/
Fascinating. I had no idea.
I had no idea of the yellow ball experiment either. I can just imagine what the value would be today on one. I’d just love to see one. The Yankees have a museum so I’m gonna visit it when I go in a few weeks. If they have one I will take pics.
Another interesting story - Thank you Paul.
That's a great question, Jeff. As far as I know the one in the Hall of Fame is one of the few still extant, though who knows what people have sitting in a box somewhere. Unless one goes up for sale, I believe it is technically accurate to say a yellow ball is priceless.
I was not aware of the yellow ball project, Paul. A bit prescient of Charlie O. Finley’s pushing an orange baseball in the 1970’s. . .
https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/march-29-1973-mlb-experiments-with-charlie-finleys-orange-baseballs/
I prefer Charlie's ball. Yellow ball too subtle. And Finley had the good sense to put his name on it. Rahr missed the boat in that regard.