Special mud rubbed on MLB baseballs has ‘magical’ properties

For over 80 years, Major League Baseball has relied on a special mud to improve grip on baseballs, sourced from a secret spot along the Delaware River and processed by Jim Bintliff. A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania revealed that the mud’s perfect blend of clay and sand creates ideal friction, making any attempts to replicate it synthetically futile. The mud’s origin dates back to a tragic incident in 1920, leading to its discovery by Lena Blackburne and its continued use in baseball to this day.

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