NEW YORK — The major league batting average rose slightly in May, though it remained at its lowest level in 53 years.
Hitters batted .239 in May, up from .232 in April and the lowest average for May since .237 in 1972, the Elias Sports Bureau said Tuesday.
The .236 average for the season through May 31 is the lowest since .229 in 1968 — the last season before the pitcher’s mound was lowered from 15 inches to 10.
May’s .315 on-base percentage was up from .309 in April but the lowest for May since .