Denver used to be "hitters' heaven." The mile-high city’s thinner air caused batted balls to travel as much as 20 feet further than at sea level. Denver hitters averaged two more home runs per game– no matter where they were from.

Then, the Colorado Rockies started keeping their balls in a humid room. It got a lot harder to hit balls over the fence. In fact, Denver turned into an ordinary place to play baseball. Hitters' heaven just kind of faded away.

JILA scientists Ed Meyer and John Bohn decided they wanted to know why baseballs haven't been flying out of the park like they used to in Denver. They already knew humid balls are less "bouncy" and travel about 6 feet less on average. So, they decided to compare how dry and wet baseballs fly after they’re hit.

They found out that wet baseballs travel a little further than dry baseballs. This means that moist balls should be more likely to yield home runs. This discovery really got the scientists scratching their heads. They started wondering whether humid baseballs made it easier for a pitcher to feel the seams and control the ball.

Now they’re looking for a real live major-league pitcher to help them test their new idea.

They haven’t found one yet. —Julie Phillips

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