First Cowhide Baseball

In 1974 after more than 100 years of using horsehide covers Major League Baseball approved the use of cowhide. Horsehide became hard to come by, and cowhide was more accessible. On April 4, 1974 the the first cowhide baseballs were introduced into the game using specially marked commemorative baseballs. The Reach Official American League, Lee MacPhiil baseball stamped "Cowhide Baseball First Use 4-4-74 Texas vs. Oakland" was used in the American League game. The Spalding National League, Charles Feeney baseball stamped "Cowhide Baseball First Use 4-4-74 Cincinnati Vs. Atlanta" was used to commemorate the introduction of cowhide baseballs in the National League.

In the National League game Hank Aaron Hit career Home Run 714, putting him in a tie with all-time home run king Babe Ruth. Home run hitters across the league complained about the switch from horsehide as Hank Aaron stated months later "If you hit the cowhide baseball once or twice, they go soft. There's just no question about it, I know the ball is softer." In 1974 Home Runs decrease by 15 percent.

A clipping from a Daily News article (below) leads to the conclusion that both the horsehide & cowhide baseballs were used through out the year and that the Horsehide baseballs were phased out into 1975. Both baseballs could have been used in the game When Hank Aaron hit Home Run number 714.

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Spalding Logo ONL Charles Feeney Cowhide Baseball	Daily News Article about the use of the new Cowhide baseballs.

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