Amid a years-long surge in home runs, Major League Baseball reportedly made some changes to the game balls for the 2021 season.
The league specifically instructed Rawlings to loosen the tension on the first of three wool windings within the baseballs, which reduced its weight without changing the size.
MLB expected the changes to be subtle and not have an effect on pitchers’ velocities. “I noticed a difference in Spring Training the last couple weeks, which I think affects spin as well,” Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Jimmy Nelson shared.
“I feel I’ve been able to spin my curveball and slider better, and really all of them better, because the seams feel a little bit bigger.