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The home team supplies the baseballs and major league teams have an ample supply available. The rules require that the home team have at least one dozen regulation reserve baseballs immediately available for use if required. Normally, a minimum of three dozen baseballs are rubbed-up and inspected by the umpires prior to the start of the game.

Previously, the rules required the umpires to rub-up the baseballs. That was changed in 2007 and now the home teams equipment personnel often apply the mud and rub the baseballs. The umpires now are tasked with inspecting the baseballs before the game but not actually rubbing-up the baseballs.

If they go through more than three dozen balls during the game (which they normally do), additional balls are rubbed-up and made available so there are always at least one dozen baseballs ready for play.

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