Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Quick Access to Databases to Improve the MLB

Technology has had a huge impact on almost every aspect of life. One aspect that it has recently become apart of is sports. A few years ago it entered the world of football with the use of tablets on the field. These tablets use large databases to analyze player matchups and play calls all through out the game to help the coaches make the best possible decisions. This deal is worth 400 million dollars over four years. This will benefit the MLB as well as Apple with the improvement of the game as well as increased revenues for Apple.

            This technology has now entered the world of baseball. The MLB has agreed a deal with apple to equip every team with Ipads to use on and off the field. These Ipads with use data from online databases that will help the managers and coaches make game time decisions. These Ipads will be equipped with an app called MLB Dugout that will contain all of the data that any team will ever need. These tablets will come in handy in situations such as, “when a relief pitcher comes in, when a pinch hitter comes up, when the game changes in unexpected ways, that’s when it will be really useful”(Teufel 1). That statement came from a first hand coach; the third base coach for the New York Mets.

            This new technology doesn’t just replace paper with an Ipad, it makes the Ipad much smarter than paper could ever be. For example, if a new pitcher comes into the game and he is warming up. The on deck batter does not have time to go into the locker room to watch videos of past at bats and learn information. With the use of paper and binders he can maybe get a quick tip or two before he gets up to bat. With the use of the Ipads, players can now watch videos right in the dugout and learn a vast amount of information right before he gets up to bat.

Not only will this benefit the MLB but it will also benefit Apple’s sale of the Ipad. The viewing of baseball is in the multi millions and has a vast market. With everyone watching the games and seeing the use of the Ipads by their favorite coaches and players they will want one as well. Apples sales of the Ipad should increase greatly with the use of them in the MLB.

            In my opinion I think this is a great situation. Everyone benefits on paper form this deal. The players and coaches will be able to preform better and make smarter decisions. On the other hand Apple will expect to see and increase in sales and revenues from the Ipad. Now we just have to sit back and watch baseball and hopefully watch the benefits of this new deal.

Works Cited
1) Olivarez-Giles, Nathan. "Baseball's Latest Recruit Is an IPad." WSJ. N.p., 29 Mar. 206. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.



5 comments:

  1. This will improve the sport in many aspects and think databases are going to do this for all sports. Not only would it make it more enjoyable for all fans at the game, but also for the coaches and players to make smarter decisions. This is a new era of sports.

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  2. Database technology and sports can definitely prove to be advantageous for sports teams, players, and coaches. I recently wrote a blog post on how data technology and sensors has drastically changed the game of the NBA. For example, after analyzing the data collected by newly implemented motion tracking devices, the amount of three-point shots during an NBA game has increased. However, as data enters the field of professional and amateur sports, privacy does become an issue. There have been cases where competing teams have been able to gain access to other team and player stats.

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  3. Database technology and sports can definitely prove to be advantageous for sports teams, players, and coaches. I recently wrote a blog post on how data technology and sensors has drastically changed the game of the NBA. For example, after analyzing the data collected by newly implemented motion tracking devices, the amount of three-point shots during an NBA game has increased. However, as data enters the field of professional and amateur sports, privacy does become an issue. There have been cases where competing teams have been able to gain access to other team and player stats.

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  4. iPads in the MLB will change the game as we know it, but this could be a change for the better. Seeing how the iPads are used in the NFL with players during the game, it almost makes the player feel more involved. When a player makes a mistake instead of only being mad about it he/she can go to the iPad and see what went wrong and how to prevent that mistake from happening in the future. There are some concerns about this technology because, as with all technology, it comes with risks. Will it take the players out of the current game if they get too sucked into the iPad? How will the MLB pay for all these iPads? How will they be integrated in? Will the 1st and 3rd base coach have them while out on the field? This could be a great next step for sports and I do believe that it can improve the game that all Americans love.

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  5. Using databases in sports is a great concept and will enable coaches and players to stay up to date with data that is important to the game. I agree with Brendan it is a much smarter and faster way to keep up with information they need to preform better. However, I recently read another article about sport teams using big data and discovered that not only are sport teams using data to improve their game but also they are using data to enhance the fan experience. The author, Jeffery Burt explained how teams are using big data to keep their season ticket holders and to convince fans it is better to come to the game then watch it at home on the big screen. They analyze data to find out what do fans really want from the game. Some of the teams are offering WiFi networks that allow fans to stay connected and apps that let one know how long the lines are at the concession stands and rest rooms. Some teams offer orientation day to get fans ready for the season. Organizations also contact their fans to get feed back about how to improve the experience. It is an interesting article and you may want to it check out. It is not only the team’s players and coaches that are using dig data to improve the game but the whole team organization.

    http://www.eweek.com/database/sports-teams-use-big-data-analytics-to-improve-fan-experience.html

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