Surrounding the core are multiple layers of tightly wound yarn called windings. These layers give the baseball its shape, strength, compression, and overall feel.
The quality and tension of the windings directly impact:
Poor winding tension can create soft spots, inconsistent compression, and unpredictable flight characteristics.
Premium baseballs typically use higher wool content (85 to 100%) with tighter, more consistent winding patterns.
Higher wool content is preferred because it provides:
Cotton windings are widely used in value-priced baseballs because they reduce cost, but they generally lose tension and performance faster than higher wool-content baseballs.
Professional and collegiate-level baseballs typically contain between 85% and 100% wool windings for maximum consistency and durability.
