MLB Confirms Increased Drag Reduces Fly Balls by 4 Feet

Major League Baseball (MLB) recently confirmed what The Athletic had been noticing: there’s more drag on baseballs this 2025 season. Players and fans are buzzing, trying to figure out what this means for stats, gameplay, and the whole vibe of the sport.

MLB insists they haven’t deliberately changed the balls. Still, the handmade nature of baseballs and the quirks that come with it are getting a lot more attention. Let’s see how this shift might shake up the sport’s traditions and the standout performances we’ve seen so far.

Exploring the Increased Drag on 2025 Baseballs

Drag is just the aerodynamic resistance that slows down a ball in flight. The Athletic found that the drag coefficient on 2025 baseballs is the highest it’s been in nearly a decade.

Because of this, long fly balls are falling about four feet shorter on average than they did in 2024. That’s got people in the league talking.

Commissioner Rob Manfred admitted the league knows about it. He pointed out that Rawlings makes these balls by hand in Costa Rica, so you get little differences in seam height and width.

MLB has looped in the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) and started digging for answers. But honestly, nobody seems to know exactly what’s causing the change just yet.

Are Performance Metrics and Home Run Rates Stable Despite the Drag?

Despite the extra drag, the numbers haven’t really budged much. MLB says home runs per ball in play (HR/BIP) sit at 4.2% this year, just a hair up from 4.1% in 2024.

Batting averages are at .244, compared to last year’s .240, and runs per game are almost the same—8.6 now versus 8.7 last season. So, it’s not like the game’s been turned upside down.

These stats don’t count games played at the minor-league parks in Tampa and Sacramento, so the averages should be pretty solid.

Why Player Performances Stand Out Amid Added Drag

Even with these subtle aerodynamic hurdles, some players keep finding ways to stand out. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners catcher, is a prime example.

He’s already knocked out 26 home runs, leading the league and edging out last year’s top sluggers at this point. Raleigh’s managed to adjust, showing off sharp plate discipline and impressive power, despite those few lost feet on fly balls.

How Does Drag Impact Gameplay and Fan Experience?

At first, you might think more drag would mean fewer fireworks—less scoring, fewer home runs. But that hasn’t really shown up in the numbers.

For fans, the thrill of each game hasn’t faded. If anything, the unpredictability feels even more baked in than usual.

Knowing that each baseball is handmade adds a little extra appreciation for the craft behind the scenes. Differences in seam height and width can subtly change how the ball moves, giving hitters and pitchers yet another challenge to figure out.

What’s Next for MLB and the 2025 Season?

MLB is still trying to get to the bottom of the drag issue. Player reps and the MLBPA are staying involved to make sure things stay fair.

Commissioner Manfred has talked with players about it, showing that the league wants to keep things transparent. Fans and analysts are watching to see if players start changing their swings or if pitchers tweak their approach.

Will the drag just become another weird quirk of the game? Hard to say. For now, the 2025 season keeps rolling, and baseball’s resilience—both on the field and in the stands—keeps shining through.

Conclusion

The increased drag on 2025 baseballs has sparked some real debate about how manufacturing impacts what we see on the field.

Even with all these aerodynamic changes, players and fans still find plenty to love in the numbers and wild moments that make each season memorable.

 
Here is the source article for this story: MLB acknowledges that increased drag on baseballs has led to fly balls traveling 4 feet less this year