This is a really dumb question but here it is.

I watch alot of baseball on tv and I always keep making the same observation.

After the third out in an inning where the runner was thrown out at first base, why does the first baseman always hold the ball out in his hand and just kind of look at it for a few seconds before tossing it in ?

Anyone else notice that ?  He just kind of stares at it for a few seconds while sometimes spinning it in his hand.

Is it just like a first baseman ritual ?

hal:

I hadn't noticed that.  Is it the same guy or team?

No. Just seems to be first basemen in general.

Not all of them do that, but many seem to.

After the third out

I guess I just notice little things like that.

Good question.

It goes right along with, "Why does the dirt on a baseball field smell different than any other dirt?"

Just checking for scuff marks.

If no scuff marks, it gets tossed back to the mound for the next half inning.

Any scuff marks or cuts.....some lucky kid in the stands will get a souvenir.