Part 6/10:

The Role of Analytics in Perception Management

MLB's use of analytics in understanding player performance and game outcomes has intersected with the discussion of whether they also employ such approaches to tweak baseball properties. Such speculation ranges from thoughtful insights to typical conspiracy theories. There are allegations that MLB's front office responds to circumstances in the league by adjusting baseball specifications to navigate through ongoing dilemmas, whether it is gamesmanship tied to impending free-agent signings or aligning competitive balance among teams.