Baseball & Softball vs. Ice Hockey Puck
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
Official baseballs are regulated by Major League Baseball (MLB), measuring 9.0–9.25 in (22.9–23.5 cm) in circumference and weighing 5.0–5.25 oz (141.7–148.8 g) with 108 double hand-stitches. Regulation softballs are larger: 12-inch Fastpitch softballs measure 11.875–12.125 in (6.25–7.0 oz), 11-inch Slowpitch softballs measure 10.875–11.125 in (5.875–6.125 oz), and 16-inch Chicago Clincher softballs measure 15.75–16.25 in.
Official ice hockey pucks are regulated by the National Hockey League (NHL Rule 13) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). A regulation puck is made of vulcanized rubber measuring exactly 3.0 in (7.62 cm) in diameter, 1.0 in (2.54 cm) in thickness, and weighing 5.5–6.0 oz (156–170 g). Game pucks are frozen for several hours prior to gameplay to eliminate surface bounce.
Specification Comparison Table
16 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
MLB Baseball Circumference
|
22.9–23.5 cm (9.0–9.25 in) | — |
|
MLB Baseball Weight
|
141.7–148.8 g (5.0–5.25 oz) | — |
|
MLB Baseball Diameter
|
7.3–7.5 cm (2.86–2.94 in) | — |
|
Baseball Stitching
|
108 Double Stitches in Red Waxed Cotton/Polyester Thread Hand-sewn | — |
|
Baseball Core Construction
|
Cushioned Cork Sphere wrapped in 3 Layers of Wool/Poly Yarn Standard | — |
|
12-Inch Fastpitch Softball Circumference
|
30.2–30.8 cm (11.875–12.125 in) | — |
|
12-Inch Fastpitch Softball Weight
|
177.2–198.4 g (6.25–7.0 oz) | — |
|
11-Inch Slowpitch Softball Circumference
|
27.6–28.3 cm (10.875–11.125 in) | — |
|
Softball Core Material
|
Polyurethane Core or Kapok Fiber Core with Optic Yellow Leather COR 0.44–0.47 | — |
|
Diameter
|
— | 7.62 cm (3.00 in ±0.03 in) |
|
Thickness
|
— | 2.54 cm (1.00 in ±0.03 in) |
|
Mass / Weight
|
— | 156.0–170.0 g (5.50–6.00 oz) |
|
Material Composition
|
— | Vulcanized Rubber and Carbon Black Compound Durometer ~90A |
|
Edge Pattern
|
— | Diamond Cross-Hatch Knurling Friction grip for hockey stick blades |
|
Pre-Game Temperature Protocol
|
— | -10 to -12 °C (14 to 10 °F) frozen for minimum 4 hours |
|
Junior / Training Puck (Blue)
|
— | 113.4 g (4.0 oz) 3-inch blue rubber for youth players |