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The first baseballs were hand made. Yarn was wound into a tight ball, then cowhide was wrapped around it and sewn together. These balls are not as hard and round as today's baseballs. Today's baseballs are pretty much made the same way. To find out more read "An Inside Look at Baseballs."

The first bats were borrowed from the game of cricket. These bats were flat-sided. The first round bats were introduced in 1886. Most wooden bats are made from white ash. Aluminum bats are now very popular. They cost more than wood bats, but they almost never break.