I had a conversation with a co-worker a couple of days ago about a point that Alonso brought up. MLB tinkers with the baseballs. The seams are raised, the the ball is wound differently, horsehide vs cow hide, the placement of "the pill", etc.... I think it's a very different argument from the one being had here, but players aren't the only ones trying to manipulate the ball in an ever evolving fashion for a desired outcome.