A report in the New York Times detailed how Major League Baseball has acknowledged its baseball in 2025 is not traveling as far in 2024. Adjusting for factors like weather conditions and altitude, balls on the same trajectory are traveling about four feet less on average than last season, but “In terms of outcomes on the field, 2025 remains in line with 2024 results.” In fact, home runs per balls in play and batting average are up over 2024, and runs per game are down just one-tenth.
MLB said they made no changes to baseball specs from 2024, but because all balls are hand-stitched, they suspect the laces are a factor, providing more drag. However, the players' union is keeping close watch, issuing a statement saying it "has been monitoring baseball behavior throughout the season, and recently reached out to the commissioner’s office to review available data and request additional information on a range of baseball measures.”
It's way to soon to draw any conclusions one way or the other. There is statistically more drag on the baseball. The real scandal is why balls off Pirates bats are averaging 50 feet shorter than normal. The GM insists it's not the roster.
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THE ASYLUM
Bob Maddamma
7:41 am - 06.14.2025rochester, n.y.A report in the New York Times detailed how Major League Baseball has acknowledged its baseball in 2025 is not traveling as far in 2024. Adjusting for factors like weather conditions and altitude, balls on the same trajectory are traveling about four feet less on average than last season, but “In terms of outcomes on the field, 2025 remains in line with 2024 results.” In fact, home runs per balls in play and batting average are up over 2024, and runs per game are down just one-tenth.
MLB said they made no changes to baseball specs from 2024, but because all balls are hand-stitched, they suspect the laces are a factor, providing more drag. However, the players' union is keeping close watch, issuing a statement saying it "has been monitoring baseball behavior throughout the season, and recently reached out to the commissioner’s office to review available data and request additional information on a range of baseball measures.”
It's way to soon to draw any conclusions one way or the other. There is statistically more drag on the baseball. The real scandal is why balls off Pirates bats are averaging 50 feet shorter than normal. The GM insists it's not the roster.
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