What happens to the "scuffed balls" the catcher hands over to the umpire?

On its journey from pitcher to catcher, baseballs sometimes hit the ground and become scuffed...out-of-control pitch / missed catch / etc. The ball is dirty / scuffed. The catcher usually automatically hands it over to the ump' who reaches into his bag and hands the catcher what is presumably a clean baseball.
Are the "rejects" given away to people / groups / auctions / etc. or are they washed in a baseball washer, buffed, and returned for another round of service?

Thanks all you baseball trivia fans...

2007-09-18T04:48:00Z

Many thanks to all who are answering. It is difficult to choose which is the best answer.

P.I. Stingray2007-09-15T22:26:14Z

Favorite Answer

Most defective balls are kept in the home teams clubhouse and are then used in batting and fielding practice before games. Some of the better balls however, are used for souvenirs. Either way they are not wasted.

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angry_swan2007-09-20T00:27:57Z

They can be given out but usually brand new balls are used for that. Most of the time the used balls in the game are paced in the teams practice bucket and used for practice.

1 0

Anonymous2007-09-16T05:41:46Z

I believe that they're used for batting and fielding practice. Many of those are then thrown to the fans who show up early to watch batting practice.

Some are given away to fans in other ways. I got one from a bartender here in Chicago at US Cellular field. The players give them to the bartenders in the picnic area here.

2 0

graciouswolfe2007-09-20T13:30:32Z

They become the property of the home team, because they furnished the new balls for the game. Then, they are used for practice.

1 0

bigjohn B2007-09-16T05:22:22Z

They become batting practice balls used before future games.

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What happens to the "scuffed balls" the catcher hands over to the umpire?

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