Whether due to the lively ball, Cobb's teaching, or both, Heilmann's batting average rose by 85 points in 1921.

In 1920, the "modern" lively ball was introduced and trick pitches (like the spitter) were forbidden.

In 1931, after two years of an exceptionally lively ball, the ball was "deadened" again.

"Talk about fielding a hot grounder-that little joker's livelier than a rabbit ball!"

The Babe was suddenly master of the new, lively ball.

During that year offensive statistics rose dramatically in what would be mistakenly attributed to the introduction of a new "lively" ball.

A less lively ball should be used for their safety, he said, contending co-ed leagues also forbade sliding and any physical contact between players.

"Maybe we can get back on the lively ball."

This made for a more lively ball that traveled much farther in the air; thus, more home runs.

In fact, it would take seven years, and a livelier ball, before a batter hit a home run that cleared the outer wall on the fly.