The Dead-Ball Era

The early 1900s saw a drop in baseball scores,
Especially in homers; man, I bet those games were bores.
The foul strike rule was new back then, but that is still around.
The larger ballparks meant that fewer balls would leave the grounds.
Indeed, the balls were often pitched 100 times at least,
As early baseball leagues preferred to keep their costs decreased.
The pitchers were allowed to scuff the ball or use their spit,
Including with tobacco juice when ballparks were unlit.
The era ended suddenly in 1921,
For reasons still disputed, though I’m sure the games got fun.
It’s true they outlawed spitballs and a bunch of other pitches.
The ballparks may have shrunk, and balls would need more frequent switches,
Since one ball, rather dirty, killed Ray Chapman at the plate.
A cork (not rubber)-centered ball would make the distance great.
It’s possible that players learned some lessons from Babe Ruth,
But that would not account for all improvement then in truth.
A few new rules meant more recorded runs within the stats.
In any case, the live-ball era’s got the fans more bats.