{{Short description|Illegal baseball pitch}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} [[File:Russ_Ford_1911.jpg|thumb|Russ Ford developed the emery ball.]] An '''emery ball''' is an illegal pitch in baseball, in which the ball has been altered by scuffing it with a rough surface, such as an emery board or sandpaper. This technique alters the spin of the ball, causing it to move in an atypical manner, as more spin gives the illusion that a ball rises, while less spin makes the ball drop predictably. The general term for altering the ball in any way is ''doctoring''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/glossary/rules/doctoring-the-baseball|title=Doctoring the Baseball|publisher=Major League Baseball|access-date=2020-02-17}}</ref> The emery ball differs from the spitball, in which the ball is doctored by applying saliva or Vaseline. Vaseline or saliva smooths the baseball, while the emery paper roughens it.
Russ Ford discovered the emery ball in the minor leagues in 1907 when he saw what a scuff on a baseball did to its movement. He began keeping emery paper in his baseball glove. Though he initially kept the pitch a secret, he had to inform his catcher, Ed Sweeney, about it. Sweeney taught it to other pitchers, and the pitch was discovered when an umpire found emery paper in Ray Keating's glove in 1914. The pitch was outlawed, which led to the banning of the spitball.
==Development== In 1907, Russ Ford, a pitcher for the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association, was warming up under a grandstand with catcher Ed Sweeney when a ball struck a concrete pillar. He threw the ball again and noticed that it moved differently than before.<ref name=sweeney>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76798937/sweeney-tells-about-the-emery-ball/ |title=Sweeney Tells About The Emery Ball|page=8|work=Intelligencer Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 19, 1916 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> Ford soon learned that by making a rough patch on one side of the ball, he could use the rough spot to get a firmer grip on the ball and increase the spin rate as he threw, making it harder to hit.<ref name=ford/> Ford first used the pitch in a game in 1909, hiding a piece of emery paper in his baseball glove.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76799112/emery-ball-his-secret/ |title="Emery Ball" His Secret|page=10|work=The Kansas City Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 6, 1916 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref>
Ford joined the New York Highlanders of the American League in 1910. He told Sweeney, who also played for the Highlanders, how he had perfected the pitch and taught him how to catch it. Ford publicly claimed to be throwing a spitball, which was legal at the time.<ref name=sweeney/><ref name=fordspit>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76799295/emery-ball-first-was-used-by-ford/ |title=Emery Ball Was Used By Ford|page=13|work=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 23, 1914 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> According to Sweeney, only two others on the team knew: Eddie Foster and Earle Gardner.<ref name=sweeney/> They were roommates when the Yankees played on the road, and Ford told them about the pitch.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76652591/history-of-emery-ball/|title=History of Emery Ball|page=28|work=Chattanooga Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 11, 1914 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> Gardner went to the Toledo Iron Men of the American Association in 1912, where he taught the pitch to Cy Falkenberg.<ref name=sweeney/> Other pitchers began to learn to throw the emery ball, and it was suspected that Sweeney taught them. Foster never told anybody about the pitch; when Foster played for the Washington Senators and Falkenberg pitched against them during the 1914 season, Senators' manager Clark Griffith noticed that he had the same pitch as Ford and questioned Foster, who said nothing.<ref name="history"/>
Another origin story suggests that George Kahler of the Cleveland Indians discovered the pitch and taught it to Vean Gregg. When Gregg went to the Boston Red Sox, he taught it to Smoky Joe Wood.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76799434/emery-ball-is-latest-worry-of-the/|title=Emery Ball Is Latest Worry Of The Umpires|page=9|work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 16, 1914 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> In ''The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers'', Rob Neyer and Bill James refer to Kahler as the second pitcher to use the emery ball.<ref>{{cite book|last1=James|first1=Bill|last2=Neyer|first2=Rob|authorlink=Bill James|authorlink2=Rob Neyer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7FfRLE6I5EEC |title=The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=2004|page=262|isbn=9781439103777|accessdate=April 30, 2021}}</ref> Other pitchers who used the emery ball included Lefty Leifield and Johnny Lush.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76799717/umpires-cant-stop-use-of-emery-ball/|title=Umpires Can't Stop Use Of Emery Ball|date=March 2, 1915|page=21|work=The Los Angeles Times|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 26, 2021}}</ref>
==Public discovery== On September 12, 1914, during a game between the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Yankees, Philadelphia's Eddie Collins struck out against Ray Keating of the Yankees in the first inning. Suspicious of how Keating made his pitches move, Collins did not swing at a pitch in his second at bat. After Collins struck out for the second time, he asked the home plate umpire, Tom Connolly, to inspect the ball. Connolly took the ball and found it to be scuffed. He inspected Keating's glove and found a piece of emery paper inside.<ref name=ford>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76960925/back-in-1910-russ-ford-discovered-emery/|title=Back In 1910 Russ Ford Discovered Emery Ball, Detected This Season|page=23|first=Billy|last=Evans|author-link=Billy Evans|work=Dayton Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 26, 2021}}</ref><ref name=keating/>
[[File:RayKeatingLOC.jpg|left|upright|thumb|Ray Keating was caught using the emery ball.]] Connolly sent two scuffed balls and a piece of emery paper to Ban Johnson, the president of the American League.<ref name=keating>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76960703/the-emery-ball-is-the-newest-wrinkle/ |title=The Emery Ball is the Newest Wrinkle|page=11|work=New Castle Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 14, 1914 |access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref> Johnson declared that players caught using the emery ball would face a $100 fine (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|100|1914}}}} today{{When|date=May 2026}}) and a 30-day suspension.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76798733/ban-johnson-bars-use-of-emery-ball/|title=Ban Johnson Bars Use Of Emery Ball|work=The Standard Union|page=10|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 20, 1914 |access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref> James A. Gilmore barred its use in the Federal League in 1915, also mandating a 30-day suspension, but with a fine of $200 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|200|1915}}}} in current dollar terms{{When|date=May 2026}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/533226449/?terms=%22emery%20ball%22%20%22ray%20keating%22&match=1 |title=Sport Snapshots|page=15|work=The Times-Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=March 4, 1915 |access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref> The National League also barred its use.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/79322674/?terms=%22john%20tener%22%20%22emery%20ball%22&match=1 |title=In the Looking Glass |first=R.A.|last=Cronin|page=8|work=The Oregon Daily Journal|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=March 8, 1915 |access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref> Umpires began taking scuffed baseballs out of play, which doubled the number of baseballs required for a game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76961209/placing-of-ban-on-emery-ball-proves/ |title=Placing of Ban on Emery Ball Proves Costly|first=I.E.|last=Sanborn|page=12|work=Great Falls Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 10, 1917 |access-date=April 23, 2021}}</ref>
Following the discovery of the emery ball, Griffith began to call for outlawing the spitball,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76961359/would-abolish-spit-ball/|title=Would Abolish Spit Ball|page=4|work=The Kansas City Star|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 26, 2021}}</ref> which occurred after the 1919 season. In the rules of baseball, Rule 8.02(6) specifically bars "what is called the shine ball, spit ball, mud ball or emery ball."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/explaining-the-notorious-and-mysterious-spitball-b99548789z1-321964091.html|title=Explaining the notorious and mysterious spitball|work=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel|first=Eric|last=Hamilton|date=August 15, 2015|access-date=April 28, 2021}}</ref> A 2007 alteration of the baseball rules changed the punishment to a mandatory ejection and 10-game suspension.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2768949|title=Thumbs up: MLB makes 1st rules changes in 11 years|agency=Associated Press|date=February 17, 2007|website=ESPN.com|access-date=April 28, 2021}}</ref>
==Further use== Whitey Ford was accused of scuffing baseballs in his later career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/301999094/?terms=%22scuff%20baseball%22&match=1 |title=Farrell's Fast One Alive; Bunker Controls Curve|page=2B|work=The Miami News|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=May 27, 1964 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> He acknowledged using a custom ring and a rasp to scuff baseballs later in his career,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/09/sports/baseball/whitey-ford-yankees-world-series.html |title=In a Golden Era for the Yankees, the Mound Belonged to Whitey Ford|first=Tyler|last=Kepner|work=The New York Times |date=October 8, 1960 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> and said that he sometimes used his belt buckle or catcher Elston Howard's shin guards. He denied doing it in 1961, the year he won the Cy Young Award.<ref name=saga>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2013/05/03/a-gripping-saga-11-tales-of-pitchers-using-spitters-sandpaper-and-scuffing|title=A gripping saga: 11 tales of pitchers using spitters, sandpaper and scuffing|first=Jay|last=Jaffe|website=Sports Illustrated|date=May 3, 2013|accessdate=April 28, 2021}}</ref>
Don Sutton was often accused of scuffing baseballs during his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/57628261/?terms=%22scuff%20baseball%22&match=1 |title=Braves rough up Sutton, L.A., 4–2|first=Paul|last=Hagen|page=B-8|work=The San Bernardino County Sun|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=May 20, 1974 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76961958/did-sutton-really-scuff-baseballs/|title=Did Sutton really scuff baseballs?|agency=Associated Press|page=5-E|work=The Billings Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 16, 1978 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> Tommy John was also accused.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/677650970/?terms=%22scuff%20baseball%22&match=1 |title=Spitballs: Fiction Or Fact|first=Murray|last=Chass|authorlink=Murray Chass|page=D-1|work=The Kansas City Times|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=July 6, 1979 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> Rick Honeycutt was caught with a thumbtack taped to his thumb and sandpaper hidden in his glove on September 30, 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/635033798/?terms=%22rick%20honeycutt%22%20thumbtack&match=1 |title=New Ranger Honeycutt out to erase memories of 1980|first=Jim|last=Reeves|page=E-1|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=February 27, 1981 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> He was suspended for 10 games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/571215137/?terms=%22rick%20honeycutt%22%20thumbtack&match=1 |title=10-day suspension 'tacked on'|page=32|work=The Spokesman-Review|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=October 2, 1980 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref>
In 1985, Jim Frey, the manager of the Chicago Cubs, accused Mike Scott of the Houston Astros of using sandpaper to scuff baseballs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76962367/frey-suspects-astro-of-scuffing-baseball/ |title=Frey Suspects Astro Of Scuffing Baseball|page=B-2|work=The Town Talk|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 5, 1985 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> The New York Mets accused Scott of using the emery ball in the 1986 National League Championship Series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19861014&id=u7haAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p1kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4722,3560858|title=Mets accuse Houston's Mike Scott of scuffing baseball|first=Bob|last=Harig|page=C-1|work=The Evening Independent|date=October 14, 1986|via=Google News Archive Search|accessdate=April 26, 2021}}</ref> In an interview in 2011, Scott said, "I've thrown balls that were scuffed but I haven't scuffed every ball that I've thrown."<ref>{{cite web|last=Calcaterra |first=Craig |url=https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/11/04/knock-me-over-with-a-feather-mike-scott-admits-to-scuffing-baseballs/ |title=Knock me over with a feather: Mike Scott admits to scuffing baseballs|work=NBC Sports |date=November 4, 2011 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref>
Joe Niekro of the Minnesota Twins was caught doctoring baseballs in 1987.<ref name="brewchief">Reusse, Patrick - [https://www.startribune.com/brew-chief-former-mlb-ump-and-st-paul-native-tim-tschida-goes-from-behind-the-plate-to-behind-the-ba/572195662/ Brew chief: Former MLB ump and St. Paul native Tim Tschida goes from behind the plate to behind the bar]. Star Tribune, July 11, 2021</ref> During a game, umpire Tim Tschida asked him to empty his pockets and a nail file and sandpaper that had been touched up to be flesh-colored came out.<ref name="brewchief"/> Niekro, who also threw a knuckleball, claimed that he used the nail file on his nails for the knuckleball.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-09-sp-430-story.html|title=Joe Niekro's Suspension Is Upheld by AL President Brown After Hearing|agency=Associated Press|date=August 9, 1987|work=The Los Angeles Times|accessdate=April 28, 2021}}</ref> The sandpaper had been glued to Niekro's hand.<ref name="brewchief" /> A week after Niekro was caught, Kevin Gross of the Philadelphia Phillies was caught with a piece of sandpaper in his glove.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-11-sp-881-story.html|title=Phillie Is Latest to Be Ejected : Sandpaper Substance Found in Gross' Glove|date=August 11, 1987|agency=Associated Press|work=The Los Angeles Times|accessdate=April 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bertha |first=Mike |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/mlbs-own-deflate-gate-here-are-a-few-other-players-who-tried-to-doctor-equipment/c-107024262 |title=MLB's own 'Deflate-gate?' Here are a few other players who tried to doctor equipment |work=MLB.com |date=January 21, 2015 |accessdate=April 23, 2021}}</ref> Brian Moehler of the Detroit Tigers was caught with sandpaper in his glove in 1999, and served a ten-game suspension.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76962772/detroit-free-press/|title=Moehler: Appeal unlikely for paper|first=John|last=Lowe|date=May 3, 1999|page=5D|work=Detroit Free Press|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 26, 2021}}</ref>
==See also== *Cheating in baseball *Ball tampering, the equivalent in cricket
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Baseball pitches|state=expanded}} {{Baseball}}
Category:Baseball pitches Category:Banned sports tactics Category:Cheating in baseball Category:Major League Baseball controversies