MLB is back after a lockout shut things down for over three months.
The season is underway and it’s like nothing ever happened.
Well, almost.
Players around the league are complaining about the baseballs that are being used by the league.
One thing that is noticeably different is the fact that batting averages are down across the league and players aren’t picking up as many hits.
Power numbers are also down significantly.
Jesse Rogers of ESPN points out an interesting stat about how hits are down, noting that the Arizona Diamondbacks have just 112 hits through their first 20 games.
That is the fewest since 1909 when the Chicago White Sox had just 110 through 20 games.
Heading into the weekend, MLB BA stands at .231 with both Az and Cincinnati below .200.
In fact, the Diamondbacks have 112 hits through 20 games. That's the fewest hits through 20 games since the 1909 White Sox had 110.
Where are the hits?!?!!?
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) April 29, 2022
“Where Are The Hits?”
Clearly, something is up with these baseballs.
How else would you explain why averages and hits are way down?
Rogers also points out that the MLB average for all teams sits at just .231 heading into this weekend, with the Diamondbacks and the Cincinnati Reds posting averages below the .200 mark.
This is something that MLB is going to need to address in the coming weeks.
Fans want to see hits, home runs, runs scored, etc.
This is not what people signed up for.
Perhaps a return to the juiced ball era would help smooth things over a little bit.
It would be better than watching teams continue to struggle at the plate.
Fans want excitement in baseball.
Averages being down and hits coming at a premium is not anybody’s idea of excitement.
Hits and home runs make the game exciting.
We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks with how MLB uses their baseballs and if they decide to do something different.
NEXT: Joey Votto Makes Light Of His Slump With A Tweet