Statistically Speaking | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Statistically Speaking

17
Statistically Speaking

It seems like when we talk about something, it always seems to be, statistically speaking. But, what about the things that aren't? The things that are overlooked, unacknowledged, known about, but no one actually decides to speak of them, the things that only some seem to recognize, but never talk about them because they don't have numbers to back it up.

Let's compare this part of life to America's greatest past time, baseball, and more specifically while batting. A hitter can do several things during an at bat. It's a misconception when you don't get on base by hitting the ball. But let's talk about the things that are overlooked. You could move a runner, by bunting, or a fielder's choice, and be thrown out; that counts towards your batting average, but what about what it did in the scheme of things? You could hit a sacrifice fly ball to outfield to move a runner or to score a run. Or perhaps you get walked, or hit by a pitch, this has no representative value towards your batting average, only your on-base percentage. But, what isn't seen is how this person helped the team regardless of the way, but people only seem to look at the numbers.

People go into the score book and start calculating batting averages, on-base percentages, slugging percentages, and typically rank the players by their abilities, based on these numbers, when realistically, they have nothing to do with how well the player performed or whether they did their job well during that situation.

When you strike out in baseball, it goes down in the book either as a 'K or a backwards 'K; both lessen your slugging percentage, on-base percentage and batting average. People recognize this as a not so good thing to do, and even if it happens once in awhile, it's noted and normally not forgotten. This is similar as to when you make a little mistake in life. It could have been the utmost minor mistake, but people will dwell on it for weeks, maybe even months. Your significant other could have forgotten your anniversary. Every time since then, you always bring it up somehow in the fight, because he struck out, indefinitely that day, and you haven't forgotten as the score keeper.

When you get a hit, everyone applauds you for your efforts and sees how well you did and how far you hit the ball. But, when you hit a fly ball to the outfield and the runner tags up at third and scores, no one seems to notice you, they only see the runner advancing home. This is like when you help a friend and tutor them. You help them gain the knowledge, understand the concepts, and be ready to take the test. Their grade started at a D, but after a few weeks of studying, you helped them get their grade to a B. Everyone saw them move around the bases, increasing their test scores, and eventually getting an A on their test. But you, got no credit for getting them there.

But, what about when you advance a runner, by either a bunt or a fielder's choice? You did your job, moved the runner, all people see is that you got out, and that messes with your stats. But yet, you still did something good. So, you do a school project with a few people in your class. Each person has a section of the project to do, and the end, you should all cumulatively be able to put the project together. You do your portion, which earns your group a 98% in that section, but your partners made you hand the project in two days late because they didn't have their sections done. Plus, they didn't try or work as hard, and they earned you poor scores in their sections. When your entire project grade is added, you end up with a C-, even though you did your portion of the project.

Whatever you did at the plate, no matter good or bad will be represented by numbers. Whatever you do in life, will be seen by the same exact thing. Even in aspects you wouldn't think your life would be determined by numbers, it will happen. It will be most prevelant in the things you focus on each day, like in baseball, its batting and fielding statistics, but it could be in your job, how much you sell each month, or how much many you make, or in school with your G.P.A or class rank. It's all about the numbers, everywhere, statistically speaking of course.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1340
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16221
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3393
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments