• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 15, 2025

Screw(y)ball: MLB Scientific Study of Rising Home Run Rates Showcases Unique Avenues into the Game

Photo by Tim Gouw from Pexels

Chicks may dig the long ball, but Major League Baseball and many of its players aren’t nearly as happy with the drastic rise in home run rates over the last few years. In turn, the huge surge has players wondering what is causing such a spike in numbers.

Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander has been very vocal on Twitter, questioning MLB by posting graphs demonstrating the abnormal rise, while another Cy Young candidate, Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer, has said, “if there are changes with the ball, we would just like to know if that’s a factor or not… No one’s going to tell you, ‘yeah, do whatever you want to the ball without telling us…’”

Players and fans of the game want answers — and this state of perplexity has opened the door for expanded roles in sports business.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred ordered a scientific study on the baseball itself and league home run rates that made news back in May. This, in turn, brought Dr. Alan Nathan’s name to the forefront of the game, as the professor emeritus of physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was selected by the league to chair the independent committee performing the study.

“It was an absolutely perfect match,” Dr. Nathan said.

While his original background is in vigorous nuclear research, with a particular specialty in experimental nuclear and particle physics, Dr. Nathan has actually been much more interested in studying the physics of baseball for almost 20 years. His role in the home run study and ongoing relationship with MLB provides a vivid example that the sports industry is home to an eclectic cast and crew with diverse backgrounds that you may not typically think of.

“The rising home run rates is actually something I wrote about prior in 2015/2016, even before the study…” – Dr. Nathan

Dr. Nathan’s shift to the rather untraditional specialty of the physics of baseball all started as a way to garner interest in a presentation the professor was giving on the university’s physics program.

“Our physics department has an outreach program where we give talks to the public and high school students about physics. Usually, we talk about our research; I decided to talk about the physics of baseball,” Dr. Nathan explained.

 

                Notice a Trend…? (Credit: Usatoday.com)

 

For the first seven or eight years, Dr. Nathan said that his work was all very “academic-oriented” and educationally focused, but over the last 10 years or so the professor has been much more involved with the league.

“With the advent of statcast, pitch-tracking, etc., MLB started reaching out more and more, so I started building up a reputation with the league, and kinda became their ‘go-to-guy,” Dr. Nathan said. So, when Major League Baseball needed somebody to chair a committee investigating the physics behind baseball’s rising home run rates, of course, he was the choice.

“I’ve studied and written about the spike in home runs recently, and with the background and relationship I have with the league, it was just a natural fit,” Dr. Nathan said.

[the_ad_group id=”948″]

Commissioner Manfred reached out, the study was proposed, and a scientific baseball committee was created.

“Physics of baseball is definitely a niche,” Dr. Nathan wryly noted. “It’s easy to be the best at what you do if it’s only you doing it.”

Highly regarded physicists with an emphasis in the physics of baseball are not exactly a regular commodity, leaving Dr. Nathan with a rather diverse skill set and area of expertise.

That would be the professor’s advice to students and young professionals looking to craft a career, particularly in a competitive field like the sports industry: Find something useful and unique, pair skills and interests even if they’re not traditionally thought of together, and develop a speciality.

It’s by following that advice that Dr. Nathan has been able to find such a great role that he thoroughly enjoys. “It’s terrific, studying the sport I love, getting to think ‘what do I want to look at today?’ and pursuing it,” Dr. Nathan said. “It’s an area rife with opportunity.”

As for the actual study, those interested can read about the extensive findings elsewhere, but the take-home point is rather anticlimactic: further studies are needed. Dr. Nathan and his committee found that baseballs aren’t being hit harder or at angles more conducive to a rise in home run rates; the balls are just carrying futher — except they don’t know why.

“Quite abnormal … two sets of baseballs that, for all intents and purposes, are the same, yet behave differently, and there’s no clear explanation,” the chairman of the committee stated.

Perhaps that’s why MLB partnered with the Seidler Equity Partners private investment firm to acquire Rawlings Sporting Goods (the sole supplier of Major League baseball), although Dr. Nathan was not so sure.

“Is this related? Maybe, but it never came up in our study or to the committee,” he said. “MLB already exerts such considerable control over baseball production, and has Rawlings on a tight leash as it is (in terms of baseball production…); tough to believe it could get any tighter.”

Want more content like this? Subscribe to our daily newsletter!

The entire “juiced ball” scientific study is certainly a storyline to keep an eye on over the summer, and should serve as proof that there is far more to the sports business than just athletes, coaches, marketing and ticket sales mavens, and television and digital media professionals.

Dr. Nathan and this entire Rawlings Quality Control conversation show there are many unique roles available in this industry. It’s up to you to find your niche, connect the dots, and determine your avenue into the game.  

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jun 11, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.

Citi Bankers Break Down the Rise of Sports As an Asset Class

Two sports executives dish on soaring valuations and emerging leagues.
Aaron Boone

MLB’s Jomboy Deal Shows Full 180

Baseball had long fought creators or kept them at arm’s length.

Featured Today

Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.
May 27, 2015; Paris, France; Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) knocks the clay off her shoe during her match against Simona Halep (ROU) on day four of the French Open at Roland Garros
June 4, 2025

Roland-Garros’s Iconic Red-Clay Surface Is a Precise Alchemy

The exact science behind maintaining the French Open’s red clay.
Alex Jensen introductory press conference on Monday, March 17, 2025.
June 3, 2025

Alex Jensen Started Utah Utes HC Job While Still Coaching the Mavs

How Jensen began building an NCAA program while patrolling the Dallas sideline.

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.
March 4, 2025

Eagles Make Saquon Barkley NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Back Ever

Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season with the Eagles.
February 18, 2025

Tiger Woods Signs First PGA Tour Player to Wear Sun Day Red

Karl Vilips will wear Sun Day Red at his season debut at the Mexico Open.
Teammates embrace during matchup in The Hundred cricket league
February 15, 2025

Google, Microsoft, Adobe CEOs Buy Stakes in Cricket League

The England and Wales Cricket Board raised £520m by selling team stakes.