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This game-used base was used in Tiger Stadium during
the early 1980s. Manufactured by
Rawlings, this style base dates back to
at least 1970 and used until 1987. It
measures 15 by 15 inches square by
2 at the edges, and 3.5 inches at the
center, meeting major League
specifications. At a time before MLB
started to merchandise game-used
memorabilia, these bags were often
painted white for aesthetics, and used
for years. When they hit the collectors
market they are often found in rough
shape. Since 2001, Major League
baseballs swaps the bases out, and
authenticates them by applying MLB
tamper-proof holograms.
In 1988 "Jack Corbett Original Hollywood" logo bases were produced. These
bases were manufactured by Hollywood
Bases Inc., of Marysville, Calif.
"Hollywood" had been a supplier to the
Major Leagues since 1939. John "Jack"
P. Corbett patented the base in 1944,
and the rubber base was first used in
the Major Leagues in 1940.
The object of the invention was to
provide a baseball base which instead
of being in the form of a cushion
stuffed with padding; comprise a rigid
base covered with a layer of cushioning
material, and provide a means for
anchoring the base with great accuracy
in the position with respect to the
base lines of a baseball diamond
required by the rules, and with such
security as to eliminate all danger of
its becoming dislodged from that
position during the course of a game.
In 1996 Schutt Sports acquired Hollywood Bases Inc., and the embossed logo
was changed, now reading; "Original
Hollywood Base, Jack Corbett, ŪSchutt
Sports" with an illustration of runner
sliding into a base on the far right.
Below features the Official MLB logo.
Inlaid plastic logos were added to the
four sides of the bases in 2000.
In 2009 Schutt Sports changed the logo
again, which is still used today.
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