A fascinating new study has revealed the mysterious science behind Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud, a specialized substance applied to Major League Baseball (MLB) baseballs to make them easier to grip.
The mud, collected from a secret location in New Jersey, has been a staple in the sport since 1938, according to the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It improves the grip for pitchers by reducing the balls’ slickness.
Researchers found that the mud possess a unique combination of clay, water and sand to make it perfect for application to baseballs. The team tested the mud’s properties by performing a series of mechanical analyses, using instruments to simulate the effect of human grip on baseballs. The mud’s fine clay particles fill the leather’s pores, which increases adhesion, while the sand grains provide additional friction.
“It spreads like face cream, but it grips like sandpaper. It has this magical ability,” study co-author and geophysicist Doug Jerolmack of the University of Pennsylvania told NBC News. (RELATED: MLB Owner Currently In ‘Active Discussions’ To Sell Worst Franchise In League: REPORT)
Happy Birthday to the late Lena Blackburne, out of Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania; 8 year @MLB career; He is best known for the creation of his baseball rubbing mud, used to remove the finish on new baseballs and give better grip and control to the pitcher—according to the company… pic.twitter.com/6yybcd8tIK
— Larry in Missouri (@LarryInMissouri) October 23, 2024
What is noteworthy about Rubbing Mud is that no viable substitute has been found despite efforts to replace it with synthetic alternatives. The MLB tried out baseballs coated with an undisclosed substance in 2016, to varied reactions from players. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the league had partnered with Dow Chemical craft a “pure white” ball in 2023. However, the project has not developed anything substantive, an MLB source told NBC News.
The substance originated from an undisclosed location along a tributary of the Delaware River. Blackburne, a coach for third base with the Philadelphia Athletics, was the man behind the discovery.
Jim Bintliff, the individual who collects the mud, told NBC News the post-processing version looks like a “cold cream or maybe a stiff pudding.”
“This mud works as a superfine abrasive and takes the gloss coating off without damaging the leather or laces,” Bintliff said.
The researchers speculated that the mud’s properties could inspire new applications in sustainable materials.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
