As an attempt to address a surge in home runs, MLB made changes to the production of its game balls during the 2021 season.
Rawlings, the manufacturer, was instructed to loosen the tension on the first of three wool windings within the ball, which reduced its weight without changing its size. MLB expected the changes to be subtle, but the baseballs were noticeably lighter and did not travel as far off the bat.
Some stability was achieved but there has been a notable deviation this season with the drag on the ball. The mean drag coefficient is .3514, down from .3462 in 2024. Equally hard-hit balls are coming up four feet short, on average, compared to last year.
While it would appear that further changes were made to the game balls, MLB denied such a notion and said they are looking into any potential causes for the increase in average drag, via Eno Sarris and Evan Drellich of The Athletic:
When contacted by The Athletic, MLB confirmed the difference in the ball’s performance, including the 4-foot reduction on long flies, but did not offer a specific explanation. The league says, though, that no intentional changes were made to the ball for this season.
“For the last several seasons, MLB has made drag information available to the public online, which is updated daily during the season,” league spokesperson Glen Caplin said in a statement.
“We are aware of an increase in average drag this season and have provided information to the Major League Baseball Players Association on this issue as our experts continue to study any potential causes beyond normal variability in a product made by hand with natural materials. There has been no change to the manufacturing, storage or handling of baseballs this year, and all baseballs remain within specifications.”
One potential explanation for the reduction on long fly balls could be changes to the seam width or height of the baseball. Because the baseballs are hand-stitched, there is always the possibility of variance when a player makes contact.
However, there is likely a bigger cause for the drop in average distance on fly balls that hasn’t been identified yet.
Multiple Dodgers pitchers have remarked off the record this season that they feel a notice with how high the seams are on baseballs being used.
MLB offensive production increase
Even with the average fly ball not traveling as far this season, MLB noted that home runs per ball in play, batting average and runs per game are all up compared to last year.
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