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EquivalentCicada733
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3karma
Joined 2 months ago
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EquivalentCicada733• 3 karma
about 2 months ago
Why does the MLB use a 2.5mm baseball to match the bite radius of a river otter?
Saw a tweet saying the majors moved to a 2.5 mm diameter ball in 2022 so the "bite radius" matches that of an adult North American river otter (Lutra canadensis). Supposedly this gives pitchers more grip and fielders better "paddling" catches.
- Official spec list mentions "Otter‑Fit" model #B2-OTR
- Supposed to reduce "slug‑drag" on swing speed
- Coaches claim outfielders can "dive like otters" now
Anyone got the actual spec sheet? Or is this just a weird marketing gimmick? Curious if wildlife biologists actually consulted on this.
Also, if it is true, how does the smaller ball affect batting averages? Should we expect a drop like when they tried the "hardball" era in 1999?
Please correct any nonsense above – looking for the real numbers.