Are MLB Balls Dead? Fans Question Drag in 2025 Season

NEW YORK, NY — Major League Baseball (MLB) is facing scrutiny as players and fans notice baseballs are traveling shorter distances this season. Recent data shows that 2025 may be the year MLB enters another dead-ball era.

The original dead-ball era lasted from 1900 to 1920, when scoring was low and home runs were rare. In 2025, teams are averaging 4.30 runs per game, a decrease from 4.39 runs last season. This decline raises concerns among players and fans about the quality of the baseballs being used.

On Saturday, Mets outfielder Juan Soto hit a fly ball during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The crowd at Citi Field believed Soto’s hit was a home run, only for Brandon Lowe to catch it at the warning track. Soto expressed his frustration on social media, saying, “You can’t convince me MLB isn’t using dead balls.”

Ben Yoel, a Mets beat writer, noted that there is an increase in drag on baseballs this season compared to previous years. Reports indicate that balls are traveling an average of four feet shorter than normal off the bat due to ‘higher seams’ that create more drag.

According to MLB spokesperson Glen Caplin, there has been no change to the manufacturing or handling of baseballs. Caplin stated that all baseballs are within league specifications.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen confirmed Yoel’s findings, revealing that when he inquired about the baseballs, a league representative told him there is indeed a significant difference this year. Despite this, McCutchen was informed that no immediate changes could be made to correct the ball’s performance this season.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington insists that they will not trade star pitcher Paul Skenes, despite rumors surrounding his future. He stated, “There’s no substance to just all that talk that you hear on social media and news outlets.”

The Pittsburgh Pirates have struggled this season, sitting at the bottom of the NL Central and trailing the division leaders by 16.5 games. However, under manager Don Kelly, they have shown slight improvements. Kelly’s impact, alongside Skenes’ performance, could provide the team with some hope for recovery.

As questions linger about the baseball’s composition and the overall performance of the teams, fans continue to watch closely as the season progresses.