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https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2022/12/13/watercooler-wednesday-65/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers
Today, another opportunity for readers to discuss the hottest topics in a forum where thoughtful dialog and a variety of opinions are welcomed.
Let?s create some running conversational threads. And for those of you back in actual offices, here?s a question to take with you ? or use via Zoom ? as you talk to your co-workers.
Here is today?s topic??..
Today?s subject comes from one of our readers and involves the latest reports of the baseballs MLB used during the 2022 season. Unfortunately, his email found its way into my super-secret baseball files, never to be seen again. I ask that you identify yourself so we may thank you for the topic suggestion.
Turning now to today?s discussion, Dr. Meredith Wills is a sports data scientist, with a previous career in astrophysics. She analyzed over 200 game-used baseballs from the 2022 season and concluded that MLB used 3 different types of balls. This comes on the heels of MLB denying that they used 2 different baseballs during 2021.
Balls were collected from 22 ballparks and they fell into 3 different categories: a lighter ball (?dead ball?), a heavier ball (?juiced ball?) and a ?goldilocks? ball that fell in-between the 2 others. MLB promised that only dead balls would be used in 2022. They claim the differences are natural because they are handmade.
The lighter balls would result in fewer hits, especially home runs. The juiced balls would go further.
But here?s where it gets interesting. The majority of the goldilocks balls were found at special events: Special commemorative games, Home Run Derby, All-Star game and all post-season play.
And here?s where it gets really, really interesting. A good chunk of regular season balls were obtained from Yankee Stadium. Where Aaron Judge broke the HR record.
To clarify, the Yankees have no control over the balls they are sent. But MLB does.
And MLB bought Rawlings, who makes the baseballs, back in 2018. Shortly thereafter, baseballs started to be changed.
What do you think?
Is this simply a too small sample size? Are handmade baseballs the reason why baseballs deviate in weight?
Or is this part of MLB?s plan to infuse more interest in the game by giving an advantage to more high-profile events that may offer more offense ? and attract more fans? Not to mention tv revenue?
What do you believe Dr. Wills' study of baseballs shows?
1. The baseball variance is purely coincidental.
2. MLB manipulated them for purposes of increasing fan interest.
VOTE
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers
Today, another opportunity for readers to discuss the hottest topics in a forum where thoughtful dialog and a variety of opinions are welcomed.
Let?s create some running conversational threads. And for those of you back in actual offices, here?s a question to take with you ? or use via Zoom ? as you talk to your co-workers.
Here is today?s topic??..
Today?s subject comes from one of our readers and involves the latest reports of the baseballs MLB used during the 2022 season. Unfortunately, his email found its way into my super-secret baseball files, never to be seen again. I ask that you identify yourself so we may thank you for the topic suggestion.
Turning now to today?s discussion, Dr. Meredith Wills is a sports data scientist, with a previous career in astrophysics. She analyzed over 200 game-used baseballs from the 2022 season and concluded that MLB used 3 different types of balls. This comes on the heels of MLB denying that they used 2 different baseballs during 2021.
Balls were collected from 22 ballparks and they fell into 3 different categories: a lighter ball (?dead ball?), a heavier ball (?juiced ball?) and a ?goldilocks? ball that fell in-between the 2 others. MLB promised that only dead balls would be used in 2022. They claim the differences are natural because they are handmade.
The lighter balls would result in fewer hits, especially home runs. The juiced balls would go further.
But here?s where it gets interesting. The majority of the goldilocks balls were found at special events: Special commemorative games, Home Run Derby, All-Star game and all post-season play.
And here?s where it gets really, really interesting. A good chunk of regular season balls were obtained from Yankee Stadium. Where Aaron Judge broke the HR record.
To clarify, the Yankees have no control over the balls they are sent. But MLB does.
And MLB bought Rawlings, who makes the baseballs, back in 2018. Shortly thereafter, baseballs started to be changed.
What do you think?
Is this simply a too small sample size? Are handmade baseballs the reason why baseballs deviate in weight?
Or is this part of MLB?s plan to infuse more interest in the game by giving an advantage to more high-profile events that may offer more offense ? and attract more fans? Not to mention tv revenue?
What do you believe Dr. Wills' study of baseballs shows?
1. The baseball variance is purely coincidental.
2. MLB manipulated them for purposes of increasing fan interest.
VOTE
