Juiced Ball Alert: 2020 CPBL Season
Did the CPBL mess up the ball again this season? That is something everyone has been speculating since spring training as the number of home runs skyrocketed.
On May 18, the CPBL revealed the results of the two different batch of balls they sent for testing. Just like everyone suspected, it is way higher than before coming in at 0.571 (#2) and 0.574 (#1). For the 2019 season, the COR value was at 0.563.
In the past, the CPBL has set the ball’s COR value between 0.540 to 0.580. However, in 2017, the team owners decided to control it between 0.550 to 0.570.
So, what does that mean for this year’s ball? Yep, the league once again displayed their incompetence when it comes to quality control. In a way, the 2020 season ball did not meet the standard as it exceeded the 0.570 limits requested by the team owners.
Update: May 19
Earlier today, the CPBL released a statement saying they asked the manufacturer to adjust the COR value to around .560 for the next batch of balls. To ensure the future production quality, the league will now send the balls for testing every two months.
Update: May 20
According to Liberty Sports, the CPBL is going to “de-juiced” the ball mid-season. The new batch of balls will have the COR value around .560 which is the same COR value for the 2017 to 2019 seasons.
Update: May 22
The CPBL will hold a team owners’ meeting on May 26 to discuss the current juiced ball scandal and the plan to “de-juiced” the ball. Liberty Sports hinted 0.560 might be the new COR value limit going forward.
In the media, the CTBC Brothers’ general manager and the CPBL commissioner are trading shots over the juiced ball scandal.
Update: May 26
The CPBL decided to change the ball at the second half season. The new batch of ball will have a COR value of 0.560 as per team owners’ request. [Further Reading]
Hi CPBL, You Had One Job
As a fan, I am just throwing out some open questions that I have for the league.
- Why is it so hard to keep the ball as per team owners’ request?
- How come there is no quality control before and after the ball production?
- Who will be held accountable for this?
- What is the plan to ensure this does not happen again?
COR Values: CPBL vs MLB, NPB and KBO
The MLB is reportedly keeping their ball COR value between 0.514 to 0.578. Both MLB and CPBL are using the same testing method.
Japan’s NPB and Korea’s KBO, on the other hand, are using a different testing method, their COR value is between 0.403 to 0.423. You can not compare NPB and KBO COR value with the MLB and CPBL’s COR value.
- CPBL – 0.550 to 0.570
- MLB – 0.514 to 0.578
- NPB – 0.403 to 0.423 (Different testing method than CPBL and MLB)
- KBO – 0.403 to 0.423 (Different testing method than CPBL and MLB)
CPBL’s COR Values From 2013 to 2020
| Year | COR | AVG | OBP | SLG | HR/G | AB/HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 (#3) - 2nd half season | 0.560 | 0.290 | 0.352 | 0.434 | 1.95 | 36.6 |
| 2020 (#2) - 1st half season | 0.571 | 0.308 | 0.366 | 0.489 | 2.73 | 26.6 |
| 2020 (#1) - 1st half season | 0.571 | 0.308 | 0.366 | 0.489 | 2.73 | 26.6 |
| 2019 | 0.563 | 0.288 | 0.351 | 0.439 | 2.14 | 32.7 |
| 2018 | 0.562 | 0.294 | 0.352 | 0.427 | 1.66 | 42.3 |
| 2017 | 0.560 | 0.288 | 0.355 | 0.442 | 2.06 | 34.0 |
| 2016 (#2) | 0.576 | 0.308 | 0.374 | 0.476 | 2.51 | 29.0 |
| 2016 (#1) | 0.573 | 0.308 | 0.374 | 0.476 | 2.51 | 29.0 |
| 2015 | 0.568 | 0.301 | 0.362 | 0.434 | 1.79 | 40.0 |
| 2014 | 0.557 | 0.274 | 0.329 | 0.367 | 0.87 | 79.1 |
| 2013 | 0.560 | 0.282 | 0.337 | 0.376 | 0.80 | 85.6 |
Baseball fans as a group want offense. Hardcore fans will attend games regardless, but casual fans like offense.
I don’t mind a bit of a “juiced ball” as well. I think this is better for the CPBL. I just don’t want it that much with its COR value over 0.570 with the league’s OPS and the home run numbers off the chart.
I personally prefer a COR of 0.550 to 0.555 but I can settle with 0.560 like from 2017 to 2019 season.