Humidors in Baseball

The game of baseball’s future may be dependant not on the players that play the game, but the way that the actual baseballs are stored. In 2002, the Colorado Rockies installed a humidor for the storage of their baseballs. This humidor keeps the baseballs in perfect conditions up until game time. Although the humidor does keep the balls in perfect conditions, it has been found that it also lessens the amount of home runs hit with these baseballs. The baseballs are not extremely dry, making them a small percentage heavier or harder to hit out of the park. Before 2002, the earned run average or ERA of opposing pitchers, other team’s pitchers, in Colorado was 6.50, a horrendously high number. After the 2002 instillation of the humidor, opposing pitchers have posted a 5.47 ERA, still a high number. While part of this high number is attributed to the thin and dry air that is the result of being in the mile high city, the number of earned runs has decreased because of the heavier, less aerodynamic baseballs.

This year, the Arizona Diamondbacks are installing a humidor in their ballpark. Which is anticipated to  impact the number of home run balls hit in this ballpark. The hitting number in Arizona is higher than other cities. This may be due to the dry air, causing the ball to fly further. The stats are all present, with the installation of the humidor and the impact on the baseball, there will definately be a decrease in home runs hit in Arizona. Although the home run count in Arizona may be slightly impacted, the Diamondbacks stadium has a retractable roof. This means that the team can play in an indoor or outdoor stadium which may affect the impact of the Humidor.

These Humidors are large metal containers that always keep the baseballs at a specific temperature and humidity, 75 degrees at 50% humidity. This causes the balls to be slightly heavier, making it much harder for hitters to consistently hit home runs. This humidor will help out Diamondback pitching, but will weaken Diamondback offense. Paul Goldschmidt, the first basemen for the Diamondbacks is a big-time home run hitter with insane power. This may cause Goldschmidt to not hit as many bombs this season, potentially impacting his career total in home runs . The move by the Diamondbacks will have consequences and who knows, maybe Goldschmidt or other players will grow  tired of the deflated baseballs and opt to leave the club. While the consequences of the humidors are yet to be seen on a large scale, it is clear that the way baseballs are stored could change the game as we know it.

By Adam Smith