What machines are used to make baseballs?

Answer 1

The present day ball stitching machines, are used as a thread tightening device. The stitching thread control device tightly clamps the stitching thread for manufacturing the finished Baseball so that the worker only needs to use minimum force to pull and set the stitches on balls. The operation of this device is convenient for workers.

In the past Baseball Stitching clamps were used. This device was used to secure the baseball during the process of sewing on the cover by hand. In the early days the clamps were made of wood by locale woodworkers or carpenters, and later made of metal. The baseballs were both sewn at the factories or at home, the work done mostly by women.

Two pieces of figure-eight-shaped cowhide is dampened to permit pliability and placed around a string wound core, then placed in the stitching clamp. The covers are stapled together to hold in place for stitching. The baseball is then hand-stitched together with 216 raised stitches. It takes about 13-14 minutes to hand sew a baseball.

For more information on Baseball Stitching clamps, along with pictures I will leave a link below. -Steven KeyMan