Although softballs are generally larger than baseballs, they both come in a wide range of types that differ depending on the game being played. While there are different sizes for fast-pitch and slow-pitch play for softball and different baseball for youth players and professionals, you’ll want to know exactly how to pick the right ball for your game. Canadian Tire offers a range of both balls in a variety of sizes and types from great brands such as Rawlings and Worth.
What are the different types of baseballs/softballs?
While softball sizes differ depending on the style of game, baseball sizes focus more on the age of the players and the material that the ball is made of.
These are the different types of baseballs:
· Youth Tournament Balls – Unlike typical balls, they aren’t soft and have a cushioned cork center and are wound less lightly.
· High School/College Balls – These balls are similar to those at the professional level but are slightly less dense and are designed for aluminum bats.
· Professional MLB Ball – At this level of play, you can expect the highest quality baseballs, while the Minor League Baseball teams use a slightly lower quality.
· Practice Balls – Practice balls are commonly used by youth players, as they are made with lower-quality materials and are cheap to replace.
These are the different types of softballs:
· Youth Softball – Players in this age group usually use balls that are 10” - 12”.
· Slow Pitch – Slow pitch leagues will use 12” – 16” softballs that travel at lesser distances and slower speeds than fastpitch balls.
· Fastpitch – Fastpitch leagues use 11” balls that travel at high speeds.
What should I consider when shopping for baseballs/softballs?
There are multiple things you need to consider when shopping for balls, which include:
· Materials and makeup of the ball, including the core, cover, and stitching.
· Compression and COR (force to compress the ball and bounce of the ball)
· Sizing (as discussed above)
What's the difference between baseballs, softballs, and practice balls?
In softball, the core is usually a mixture of cork and rubber that is consistent among balls and the exterior cover can be either white or optic yellow in a natural or synthetic leather. Yellow is the official ball colour, while white is for recreational leagues and slow pitch games. Balls with raised cotton or linen string add better grip.
Baseballs are also either leather or synthetic, where leather provides durability and secure grip and synthetic balls resist dirt and maintain their colour. As well, baseballs are generally smaller and more compact in size.
Practise balls are used for batting practice, tee work, and pitching machines. These are generally made with cheaper materials like rubber, unlike traditional balls which have a distinct core and cover.
To find everything you need for your next game, browse our collection of baseball and softball equipment, including apparel, bats, and protective gear.
