How Technology is impacting MLB

Major League Baseball was established back in 1903 after the merging of the American League and the National League was confirmed.

Over the past century, Baseball has been ‘Americas Game’, one of the most popular pastimes for fans as well as one of the most lucrative careers for its athletes.

Superstars’ past and present have drawn the crowds. Babe Ruth helped bring Baseball to exhilarating best in the 20s and it has continued to be one of the top three sport in the United States ever since.

Baseball has always been a sport which lends itself to analytics and mathematics. As much as the physical skill is required, an understanding of advanced analytics gives teams an advantage in preparing their players better.

The advanced analytics are something that is now vital for sportsbooks who take into account a vastly wide range of data and metrics to influence their MLB betting odds.

Gambling companies will use similar software in collecting in game data which teams will be doing to in order to aid their decision making and understanding of player performances.

The demand for in-play betting has also given rise to the data and statistical information being shared and used in the game. This is used by both the sportsbook and the punters in their bid to understand the course of the game. For the sportsbook it helps set its odds, with live updates throughout; for the punters, it helps in their decision making on where to place their money.

Stats can be gathered using tracking technology lie Statcast which measures and records real time data while the game is going on. It does not intrude on the game play at all so is perfect in gathering the data which is then shared with the supporters to provide more entertainment in game. 

As well as collecting stats, tracking data can monitor pitches and swings in real time, and systems such as Rapsodo are used across the league. Coaches and players are able to look into detail speed, spin and launch angles and this has helped increase the speed at which a pitcher can throw dramatically. Early days baseball saw pitches vary from around 80 – 89mph, today pitchers will throw upwards of 90mph.

Though technology is used to aid in the advancement of player development and player recruitment now, there was not always a huge demand in the early stages. Roapsodo general manager Art Chou said sides were slow to acknowledge the benefits of data and video technology. They realised the baseball market lacked a lot of vital data which could innovate the sport and offer something completely different. 

Eventually, from around 2016, Rapsodo technology was being used by almost every side in MLB. Even players outside of MLB were using their technology in a way to train and develop in order to give themselves a better chance of being drafted to the majors. 

It is not just the data which has helped players develop, the technology to improve batting cages. They have been around for a long time though started with very few functions and their use could be very time consuming, Today’s technology gives clubs the chance to use these cages with multi-functioning pitches to give the batter a wider range of training possibilities. 

Major League Baseball has also used technological advances in the way it can improve the game for new generations of supporters. 

While a pitcher is throwing at speeds of 90mph or more, baseball can be a dangerous game, and the league uses technology to improve the headgear and safety equipment used to continue to improve the quality and lightweight design to ensure safety does not compromise performance.

Player health can be protected even further today with the advances in technology. Heart rate monitors can be attached in game and bio-trackers can provide physical trainers with the athletes sleep cycle, their recovery as well as exertion from training and games.

Not all technological advances are there for the players though. Livestreaming and advanced broadcasting technologies allow MLB to transmit their product to people across the world. 

MLB has set up its own streaming service so that fans are able to watch their games without having to have a cable television contract. This has been vital for the sports reach with fans, especially with the movement of many to streaming services over traditional television viewing. 

While technology has helped the players and the teams improve how they train and analyse the games, it has led to some big strides in performance. Alongside this, technology has allowed the fans a more interactive experience than ever before.

On and off the field, technology has helped develop the game of baseball over time to stay engaged with it audience and develop with the changing desires of new generations of fans. The sport is competing with the likes of the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS in the United States, and that need to stay engaging and up to date helps continue to draw the big crowds.