RARE 1970 National League Charles Feeney 5X Spalding Prototype Baseball

The Spalding 5x baseball, so called because it was 5% livelier, was an experimental baseball used in selected spring training games in 1970. The experiment was discontinued because of concerns over the safety of both players and fans.

Joseph Cronin, whose stamp appears on the American League 5X ball (pictured below) referred to the 5x derisively as Bowie Kuhn’s “little experiment,” and said, “I’ve seen enough of it. It should be outlawed.”

It is believed that multi-colored stitching (Red & Blue) was used on the baseball so players and umpires can identify the ball immediately–an important design element given potential safety concerns.

Extremely rare, and almost NEVER seen today in this version, presented is one for sale signed by Brooks Robinson, otherwise a pearl, presumably game used. You may never find another!

One sold for close to $1k at Hunt Auctions this past year.