Baseball & Softball vs. Volleyball
Comparing 2 standards across 17 specifications. 17 key differences identified.
Official baseballs are regulated by Major League Baseball (MLB), measuring 9.0–9.25 in (22.9–23.5 cm) in circumference and weighing 5.0–5.25 oz (141.7–148.8 g) with 108 double hand-stitches. Regulation softballs are larger: 12-inch Fastpitch softballs measure 11.875–12.125 in (6.25–7.0 oz), 11-inch Slowpitch softballs measure 10.875–11.125 in (5.875–6.125 oz), and 16-inch Chicago Clincher softballs measure 15.75–16.25 in.
Official volleyballs are regulated by the FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball). Indoor volleyballs have a circumference of 65.0–67.0 cm (25.6–26.4 in), mass of 260–280 g (9.2–9.9 oz), and inflation pressure of 0.30–0.325 kg/cm² (4.26–4.61 psi / 294.3–318.82 hPa). Beach volleyballs share identical circumference and mass but operate at lower pressure of 0.175–0.225 kg/cm² (2.49–3.20 psi).
Specification Comparison Table
17 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
MLB Baseball Circumference
|
22.9–23.5 cm (9.0–9.25 in) | — |
|
MLB Baseball Weight
|
141.7–148.8 g (5.0–5.25 oz) | — |
|
MLB Baseball Diameter
|
7.3–7.5 cm (2.86–2.94 in) | — |
|
Baseball Stitching
|
108 Double Stitches in Red Waxed Cotton/Polyester Thread Hand-sewn | — |
|
Baseball Core Construction
|
Cushioned Cork Sphere wrapped in 3 Layers of Wool/Poly Yarn Standard | — |
|
12-Inch Fastpitch Softball Circumference
|
30.2–30.8 cm (11.875–12.125 in) | — |
|
12-Inch Fastpitch Softball Weight
|
177.2–198.4 g (6.25–7.0 oz) | — |
|
11-Inch Slowpitch Softball Circumference
|
27.6–28.3 cm (10.875–11.125 in) | — |
|
Softball Core Material
|
Polyurethane Core or Kapok Fiber Core with Optic Yellow Leather COR 0.44–0.47 | — |
|
Indoor Circumference
|
— | 65.0–67.0 cm (25.6–26.4 in) |
|
Indoor Mass / Weight
|
— | 260–280 g (9.17–9.88 oz) |
|
Indoor Inflation Pressure
|
— | 0.300–0.325 kg/cm² (4.26–4.61 psi / 294.3–318.8 hPa) |
|
Beach Volleyball Circumference
|
— | 66.0–68.0 cm (26.0–26.8 in) |
|
Beach Volleyball Mass / Weight
|
— | 260–280 g (9.17–9.88 oz) |
|
Beach Inflation Pressure
|
— | 0.175–0.225 kg/cm² (2.49–3.20 psi / 171.6–220.6 hPa) |
|
Indoor Panel Construction
|
— | 18-Panel or 8-Panel (Mikasa V200W Dimpled Microfiber) Laminated Synthetic Leather |
|
Beach Panel Construction
|
— | 10-Panel or 18-Panel Stitched Water-Resistant Synthetic Sewn Panels |