I was told by a rep for MLB that the balls are indeed different this year. They stated “higher seams” which produces more drag on baseball, causing baseballs to not travel as far as they should. When asked why, I was told “every baseball is hand sewn so no ball is the same.” When I asked if there is something that can be done about correcting the current performance of this years baseball, I was told there was “nothing” that can be done about it this season BUT, they are “working hard on getting to the bottom of why the seams are higher.” So, yea you’re not wrong Ben.
You can’t convince me MLB isn’t using dead balls.