Baseball & Softball vs. Rugby
Comparing 2 standards across 18 specifications. 18 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 rugby balls are prolate spheroids regulated by World Rugby (Law 2) for Rugby Union and the RFL for Rugby League. An adult match ball (Size 5) has a length of 280–300 mm (11.0–11.8 in), long circumference of 740–770 mm (29.1–30.3 in), short circumference of 580–620 mm (22.8–24.4 in), mass of 410–460 g (14.5–16.2 oz), and pressure of 0.67–0.70 bar (9.7–10.2 psi).
Specification Comparison Table
18 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 | — |
|
Official Match Size
|
— | Size 5 World Rugby / IRL Standard |
|
Length Axis (Tip to Tip)
|
— | 280–300 mm (11.0–11.8 in) |
|
Long Circumference
|
— | 740–770 mm (29.1–30.3 in) |
|
Short Circumference
|
— | 580–620 mm (22.8–24.4 in) |
|
Mass / Weight
|
— | 410–460 g (14.5–16.2 oz) |
|
Inflation Pressure
|
— | 0.67–0.70 bar (9.7–10.2 psi / 65.71–68.75 kPa) |
|
Size 4 Youth (Ages 10–14)
|
— | 270 mm length / 540 mm short circ / 370–390 g Youth Standard |
|
Size 3 Junior (Under 10)
|
— | 250 mm length / 500 mm short circ / 310–330 g Junior Standard |
|
Panel Geometry
|
— | 4-Panel Poly-Cotton Laminate with Rubber Compound Pimple Grip Standard |