Posner did say, though, that postseason baseballs have markings on them that likely helped the Cubs to identify it. It’s probably more than very likely that that’s the ball up there.” We’re just saying these are the guidelines we have to maintain a working and reputable program. “We’re not disputing the authenticity of an item. “If there’s any shadow of a doubt, if there’s any loss in the chain of custody, (we can’t 100 percent guarantee it),” Posner said. Posner said they must authenticate an item the same day it is used. The kicker with the Schwarber ball, which was in such a rare place that it might have been able to be authenticated, is that the crew left Tuesday night before it was known a ball was on top of the board. The exception comes with milestone balls such as David Ortiz’s 500th home run this season, when MLB introduced marked balls into a game through the umpire to ensure they can identify them. For example, most home run balls hit into the stands are not authenticated, because fans who throw the balls back sometimes switch them out with other balls.

The program, however, has strict rules to ensure consistency. In a postseason game like Tuesday’s, three to four authenticators likely were on hand to collect significant items and place tamper-proof holograms on them. MLB now has 145 authenticators across the country who attend every game in the regular season and postseason to authenticate game-used equipment, from balls to bases to jerseys. MLB, however, won’t give the baseball its official seal of authenticity, according to Michael Posner, who heads the league’s authentication program, which was created in 2001 to correct a memorabilia industry marred by fraudulent goods. A Stanley Cup-type tour for fans to take selfies was not ruled out. They may auction it for charity, though Schwarber likely will be offered the ball he sent into orbit. The Cubs will decide what to do with it after the season, the source said. A security guard will escort anyone going up to the top of the video board to service it so it won’t be stolen, but there will be no 24-hour security.

Cubs score board