If you’ve played or watched baseball you’ve no doubt heard the expression “Knock the cover off the ball” but probably have never witnessed it. It is a rare occurrence. But a baseball is made with several materials — yarn wound into a Round around a small core of cork or rubber and stitched inside two strips of white horsehide or cowhide. So if the ball comes apart during a play it remains “live” until the play is completed, according to the 2025 MLB Official Baseball Rules. And the sphere of yarn is considered the ball, not the cover. Quick! Gather up that string and throw over to first for the out!

12.06.25