Recent independent tests of major league baseballs,...

Recent independent tests of major league baseballs, sparked by a dramatic increase in home runs this season, have proven that “1987 baseballs are no livelier than those of past years,” the American and National leagues said in a joint statement.

Several dozen 1987 baseballs were tested and compared with 1985 baseballs by the Science and Aeronautics Department of the University of Missouri Rolla during a two-week period after the All-Star break.

Except for a minimal difference attributed to the storage and age of the older baseballs, “the test results indicated that the 1987 baseballs are totally within the parameters of major league standards,” the statement said.