<P> In 1909, sports magnate and former player Alfred J. Reach patented the ivory centered "ivory nut" in Panama and suggested it might be even better in a baseball than cork . However, Philadelphia Athletics president Benjamin F. Shibe, who had invented and patented the cork centered ball, commented, "I look for the leagues to adopt an' ivory nut' baseball just as soon as they adopt a ferro - concrete bat and a base studded with steel spikes ." Both leagues adopted Shibe's cork - centered ball in 1910 . </P> <P> The official major league ball is made by Rawlings, which produces the stitched balls in Costa Rica . Attempts to automate the manufacturing process were never entirely successful, leading to the continued use of hand - made balls . The raw materials are imported from the United States, assembled into baseballs and shipped back . </P> <P> Throughout the 20th Century, Major League Baseball used two technically identical but differently marked balls . The American League had "Official American League" and the American League's president's signature in blue ink, while National League baseballs had "Official National League" and the National League president's signature in black ink . According to Bob Feller, in the 1930s, when he was a rookie in the National League, baseball laces were black, intertwined with red; the American League's were blue and red . In 2000, Major League Baseball reorganized its structure to eliminate the position of league presidents, and switched to one ball specification for both leagues . Under the current rules, a major league baseball weighs between 5 and 5 ⁄ ounces (142 and 149 g), and is 9 to 9 ⁄ inches (229--235 mm) in circumference (2 ⁄--3 in or 73--76 mm in diameter). There are 108 double stitches on a baseball, or 216 individual stitches . </P> <P> Today, several dozen baseballs are used in a typical professional game, due to scratches, discoloration, and undesirable texture that can occur during the game . Balls hit out of the park for momentous occasions (record setting, or for personal reasons) are often requested to be returned by the fan who catches it, or donated freely by the fan . Usually, the player will give the fan an autographed bat and / or other autographed items in exchange for the special ball . </P>

What is the diameter of a major league baseball