Didn't you guys hear Buck on Bobcat's show last night? He said clearly there is a change because these days, as soon as a ball hits the dirt, the catcher gives it to the ump without being asked and a new one is put in play. He said pitchers can't doctor up the ball like they use to be able to (said they would fray the laces, etc.).
Apparently he thought the global debate was whether the ball is different today than it was in 1979.