In Japan and South Korea, players use Mizuno baseballs manufactured with a tacky cover.
They weren’t popular, especially with hitters, and teams were hesitant to use them in workouts.
“Players here have been using the same baseball for a long, long time,” Sawamura said.
As he adapts to a new ball and a new league after nine seasons in Japan, Sawamura is succeeding.
“I’m enjoying everything about it, especially that we are in first place,” Sawamura said.