The Reliance on Statistics in Baseball

Abstract

Ever wonder how managers in Major League Baseball put together their lineups? In this project I have investigated one aspect of mathematics in the game of baseball, and that is the use of statistics as applied to the management of modern baseball teams. Statistics are able to show the performance of a player as compared to other players in the league, and their own previous seasons. Batting statistics, or offensive stats, determine how a player scores runs against opposing teams. Fielding statistics, or defensive stats, describe how good a player is at fielding the baseball and making outs, which prevents the other team from scoring runs. Pitching statistics, determine which players are good at actually throwing the ball to opposing team players. There are specific coaches that oversee these specific categories of the game, as they all help the manager to understand, interpret, and apply those statistics to make a winning lineup. These coaches are able to see that certain batters hit better against certain pitchers, and certain pitchers throw better to certain types of hitters. Statistics tell a manager which player to start or sit out a particular game. Statistics are also able to tell why teams are winning, losing, or even if they have good players. The importance and development of statistics in baseball are explained and examined to show their applications to the game by managers.