Here we go again, baseball fans. Just when you thought we might have a calm season, the game’s most fundamental piece of equipment, the baseball itself, is back in the spotlight, behaving differently and sparking the usual round of questions and distrust of MLB leadership.
The average distance of fly balls in 2025 decreased by four feet when compared to 2024, according to data from The Athletic, which received confirmation from MLB. Since Statcast began tracking baseball data, the air resistance (drag) affecting baseballs has reached its highest level ever at 0.3514. The current drag value exceeds the previous record established in 2016. The ball encounters its greatest air resistance to date, which affects its flight distance.
Why are MLB baseballs traveling shorter distances?
So, what’s going on? While MLB insists no intentional changes were made and all baseballs remain within specifications, an unnamed league source suggests higher seams on the hand-stitched balls could be the cause of the increased drag. A league insider told the publication that the hand-stitched ball seams with higher elevation might be the reason for increased drag. The MLB representative informed Pirates veteran Andrew McCutchen that this year’s baseballs feature elevated seams, despite other officials denying it.
The ball has been a central point of discussion in years past, so this isn’t the first time. The controversy surrounding “juiced” balls has occurred twice before in 2017 and 2019, and MLB admitted to using both old and new balls in 2021. The history of the league’s less-than-transparent tampering with balls has created a substantial distrust among players.
Despite the noticeable change in how the baseball is performing during the 2025 season, MLB spokesperson Glen Caplin insisted that gameplay is on par with what it was in 2025. Caplin cites similar home runs per ball in play, batting average, and runs per game as evidence to prove MLB’s assertion. However, data also shows that across most MLB stadiums, home runs as a percentage of fly balls hit in March, April, and May are at an eight-year low.
The baseball saga continues while everyone continues to wonder what the ball will do next.
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