WHY IS THE BALLPLAYER WATCHING AN IPAD IN THE DUGOUT?

 WHY IS THE BALLPLAYER WATCHING AN IPAD IN THE DUGOUT?

Every day I am reminded that the world around me is constantly changing. And with the changes I am always challenged to learn something new. So, the notion of becoming a life-long learner is no longer at the discretion of the learner, it is forced upon us by our society. 

Today’s lesson was presented to me when I read the following advertisement for a job or career in major league baseball. Imagine how excited I got when I visualized that I might be able to apply for a job with a Major League team. It would have fulfilled a fantasy dream of mine and I would have been ecstatic. The ad read:

“The Detroit Tigers are currently accepting applications for the following positions:

Director, Baseball Data Infrastructure

Full-Stack Software Engineer, Baseball Operations (multiple)

Biomechanist, Performance Science

Coordinator, Performance Science

Analyst, Computer Vision

Analyst, Baseball Operations

Associate, Baseball Analytics (multiple)

Associate, Performance Science (multiple)

Associate, Major League Advance Scouting (multiple)

Pro Scouting Intern”

Needless to say, my enthusiasm was instantly extinguished after I read the ad. I was visualizing a job as a base coach, or a bench coach, or a groundskeeper, or a play-by-play announcer. Something that would gain me admission to Big League baseball games on a regular basis was the dream. 

The jobs that were advertised were of a nature that I not only did not qualify for one, but I did not have any idea what most of the jobs even existed, never mind what they entailed. A Full-Stack Software Engineer? A Biomechanist? An Analyst, Computer Vision? What about the need for a batting practise pitcher, a clubhouse attendant or even a beer salesman? These jobs I could understand and might probably qualify for! 

No wonder fan attendance at baseball games is down. It is no longer a simple game of “throw the ball, see the ball, and hit the ball”. It has become a complex game driven by science. Every pitch of every game, to every batter, by every pitcher is analyzed and the masses of data are input into a computer by science whiz-kids (the jobs advertised above) and the results of their computer analysis are then relayed back to every pitcher and hitter so that they can improve their own personal performance. I am sure you have observed players hunched over an iPad viewing all the data they “need” to know before they hit or pitch again. It is truly bizarre!

Players today must spend as much time studying the data profiles of each opponent for every game as they do practising hitting or pitching. I personally don’t think that any amount of analysis to assist a hitter is going to be that helpful when a pitcher throws a 100mph baseball that may curve or drop two feet in the space of 60 feet in half a second. You need incredible eyesight, reflexes and athletic talent to be a success, not a boatload of computer data dancing around in your mind. At least that is my humble opinion.

I don’t think I will apply to the Tigers for any of the new jobs, but I will inquire if they have a need for any senior Miller Light Beer Vendors!