The Museum: Major League Baseball’s National League Official Game Balls. NL balls were first made by Spalding in the late 19th Century, known then as A.G. Spalding & Brothers. The company was founded in 1876 by Albert Spalding, a pitcher for the Chicago White Stockings, (today’s Chicago Cubs) and he later became the team’s owner and president before selling in 1902. Please note, this gallery is under construction and we’re missing a number of antique NL game balls.
1883 Spalding National League Base Ball
- SPALDING TRADE MARK
- OFFICIAL LEAGUE BALL
- ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
- PATENTED FEB. 27TH 83
- 9 IN.—5 OZ.
- WARRANTED
- A.G. SPALDING & BROS., CHICAGO, NEW YORK & PHILA.
NL Presidents: Morgan Bulkeley 1876, William Hulbert 1877–1882, Arthur Soden 1882, Abraham G. Mills 1883–1884, Nicholas Young 1885–1902, Harry Pulliam 1903–1909, John Heydler 1909–1910 & 1918–1934, Thomas Lynch 1910–1913, John Tener 1913–1918, Ford Frick 1934–1951, Warren Giles 1951–1969, Charles Feeney 1969–1986, Bart Giamatti 1986–1989, William White 1989–1994, Leonard Coleman 1994–1999.
Spalding’s run as the official supplier for MLB’s National League lasted from from 1878–1976. In 1977, Rawlings took over as the exclusive supplier for the the NL and AL, until the individual league offices were dissolved the MLB Commissioner Bud Selig’s office in 1999. AL and NL balls were then replaced by the Rawlings ROMLB standard official MLB league ball.
A 1926 Spalding National League Presidents’ Golden Jubilee ball. This baseball was part of a two-ball gift set that included an official NL game ball from the period. It was crafted for, and presented to dignitaries to honor the 50th anniversary of the National League. The celebration was held at the Hotel Astor in New York City.
“Past and present baseball luminaries in attendance that night were the only ones given this handsome keepsake and rarely have they appeared for public sale since,” according to Lelands.com.
This NL 50th Anniversary ball features a red facsimile stamped signature of NL Pres. John Heydler over the Spalding “Trade Mark” logo. These balls were then adorned with stickers featuring the image of each of the eight league presidents. Obviously, this isn’t an on-field game ball in its current state, but it was manufactured the same as on-field balls, and is worth highlighting here. Photo credit: RuppDesign.com.
1900s– 1976 Spalding National League Baseballs
1919 Spalding National League Heydler (No Pres. Signature). 1937 Spalding National League Frick Multicolored Laces. 1947 (est.) Spalding National League Frick Multicolored Laces. 1948 Spalding National League Frick Multi-Colored Laces. 1949-51 Spalding National League Frick Baseball. 1950s-1960s Spalding NL Giles (common 2-dot version). 1960s Spalding NL Giles “B” Stamp. 1969 Spalding NL Giles Blue stamped, Canada (Use Unknown). 1970s Spalding NL Feeney Star Logo Prototype?1971–74? Spalding NL Feeney Haiti (First Haiti-stamped MLB Baseballs). 1974 Spalding NL Feeney, First Cowhide Leather Official Game Use (First ever commemorative game ball?). 1974–76 Spalding NL Feeney (Final Spalding MLB Official Game Ball).
Rawlings National League Haiti ‘Dot-Dated’ NL Baseballs 1977–1986 (Feeney)
1977 Rawlings NL (Old Rawlings logo and stamping plates, centered “Haiti”). 1978 Rawlings NL (Old Rawlings logo, centered “Haiti”). 1979 Rawlings NL (Old Rawlings logo, centered “Haiti”). 1980 Rawlings NL (Old Rawlings logo, centered “Haiti”). 1981 Rawlings NL (Old Rawlings logo, centered “Haiti”). 1982 Rawlings NL (modified/refined Rawlings logo and ink stamping plates/process, right-justified “Haiti”). 1983 Rawlings NL (right-justified “Haiti”). 1984–1986 Rawlings NL (right-justified, no-dot “Haiti”).
1987–1999 Rawlings National League Baseballs
1989 Rawlings NL Giamatti. 1990s Rawlings Pastime Collection Reproduction NL Feeney Edition. 1990s Rawlings Pastime Collection Reproduction NL Giamatti Edition. 1995-1999 Rawlings NL Coleman. 1999 (est.) Rawlings NL Coleman w/ Trademark ™ Symbol.
