This time, the ball was juiced.

The Giants and Angels played a spring training game using an experimental baseball. The Giants won, 13-1, with Bobby Bonds hitting two home runs. The hitters seemed to love the idea, but the fielders were a little shell shocked.

"When this ball is being used the pitcher should have a standing appointment with his dentist," Angel shortstop Jim Fregosi told The Times’ Ross Newhan.

The baseball’s center was all rubber compared to the cork and rubber regular ball and had 10% greater compression than the regular ball, Newhan reported. "I like the action it creates," said Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who was at the game. "I think the big difference is on balls grounded into the infield. The ball jumps off the bat."

Other reviews weren’t so glowing.

"I kind of like it but the sound is frightening," said Angel Manager Bill Rigney. "I have a headache."

Angel third baseman Aurelio Rodriguez said through an interpreter that he closed his eyes and prayed catching a liner from Jim Ray Hart.

The game was the second tryout for the livelier ball. Could aluminum bats be far behind?

–Keith Thursby