With the World Series starting tonight, now is a great chance to take a look at the influence of math and science in the sport of baseball.
Growing up, I did not enjoy math, but I did like to read the newspaper box scores from the games the night before, and to see how my favorite team, the Mets, performed. I understood the numbers and enjoyed reading them. Of course, baseball is much more than numbers and science; many memorable plays have excited fans for years, and this is why it is America’s pastime and favorite sport. I still remember Robin Ventura’s Grand Slam Single, and Mike Piazza’s home run after 9-11, two of my favorite moments in Mets history.
Baseball is not all luck and exciting moments, it helps to have mathematics on your side. Baseball has been called the most statistical-driven sport; managers are constantly analyzing the chances for success, substituting lineups in tight games, and choosing players based on past success. Baseball teams have uneven payroll allotments, and some teams (for example, the Oakland Athletics) have had to find creative ways to stay competitive. This is the idea behind the Moneyball craze, which focused mostly on a batter's ability to get on base, not necessarily fielding ability. These ideas have helped teams such as the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs win titles.
"Batting average is just an appetizer on the menu of number-crunching options for the avid fan. Statistical models exist to determine everything from the winner of the Cy Young award, pitching's grand prize, to a manager's contribution to the team. Scientists, too, have a blast on game day. They've used the laws of physics, for example, to explain why a head-first slide is faster than going for the bag feet-first."
For more information on the math and physics of baseball, check out this article from nbcnews. While it is a little dated (2013, and uses Alex Rodriguez as an example), the mathematics and physics information is still relevant. To help your student learn more about math (baseball and otherwise), contact us at 203-757-1234 to set up a free assessment and free trial session!
