MLB Details Slight Changes to Make Baseballs More Uniform, Less Bouncy - Cubs Insider
An internal memo sent by Major League Baseball to general managers, assistant general managers, and equipment managers that was subsequently obtained by The Athletic outlines plans to make baseballs more uniform in 2021 and beyond. Rawlings — MLB’s official ball supplier, which is also...
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The article headline in today's CubsInsider.com
MLB Details Slight Changes to Make Baseballs More Uniform, Less Bouncy
It looks like they are going to loosen the tension of the first wool winding of the ball. The purpose is to center the COR range of the ball. Current balls have a core range that vary between .530 and .570. MLB apparently want all the baseballs to have a core of .550.
The article explains what the COR is:
That COR range, currently set from .530 to .570, establishes the acceptable “relationship of the incoming speed to the outgoing speed” of the ball. A higher COR means a little more “bounce” off the bat, which means harder hits and more homers. It follows, then, even a slightly deadened ball would result in less offense.
What is the effect of these new baseballs for 2021? Tests according to the article showed:
....the new balls resulted in one to two feet of decreased distance on fly balls hit over 375 feet. That could be a big deal when you’re talking about a ball clearing the fence in the alley versus finding a home in an outfielder’s glove.
Rather than work on changing the baseball so it travels slower off the bat, MLB needs to look at those substances that pitchers are now using to give them a better grip on the baseball. This is playing a big part in the increase in strikeouts since it is allowing pitchers to get increased spin and movement on the ball than in the past.
