October 23, 2006
Cold Weather Ball
Chris Constancio examines the effect of cold weather on walks, strikeouts and hits at The Hardball Times. I'd like to suggest one explanation for why hits go down. In cold weather, the bat meeting the ball stings your hands. The natural reaction is the same one you get when you touch a hot stove; you pull away from the sting. My guess is, players don't follow through as well when making contact on a cold day.
re: cold weather baseball
after reviewing the article, in a word, walks, homers and strikeout power pitchers are favored by cold weather, and guys who don't walk batters. The hitters of july and august are all forgotten in the cold of October in favor of sluggers and onbase men and strikeout kings. Thus, bob gibson and reggie rule in october baseball.
In short, Earl Weaver baseball, sabrmetric baseball.
Is this a surprise????
--art kyriazis, philly
Before reading the article, I was against the later World Series AT NIGHT when, of course, it's colder. Now I'm really against baseball in northern football weather. What if the Twins make the Series after getting their new outdoor stadium? If the Series can't be moved up in October, at least play during the heat of the day in northern outdoor stadiums, or any such stadiums if the weather is too cold at night.
