In the middle of a long MLB season, there’s lessons to be learned and applied. The ebbs and flows that transpire are invariably a part of the game. A winning streak can quickly become a losing streak by virtue of a single pitch. An even keel approach bodes well each season, as it’s more of a marathon than a sprint to the postseason.
Regardless of the win-loss record, the Oakland Athletics take pride in giving back to its community.
The A’s organization strives to make a positive impact throughout the Bay Area. They’re committed to matching the social, cultural, and educational demands of its fans. Bringing forth the science of baseball to life, indeed, serves as a bridge to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.
On June 30th, the Oakland A’s and Chevron partnered to host over 100 Richmond Little Leaguers for an on-field clinic before they played the Colorado Rockies at O.co Coliseum. The clinic exposed the youngsters to several hands-on activities and instruction from San Jose State University students. The Chevron STEM ZONE facilitated the interaction between the Little Leaguers and the students, where the excitement and critical skills can be introduced. 1971 American League MVP Vida Blue, Hall of Famer Tony LaRussa, and A’s pitcher Kendall Graveman were key figures on hand that offered their participation.
It is this kind of event, though, that sheds light on the daily practice of STEM principles a team like the Oakland A’s supports.
“On the field, our baseball operations department develops and analyzes many systems it can apply to the team having success, ranging from where to position players defensively to acquiring players, themselves,” Ken Pries, Vice President of Communications and Broadcasting for the Oakland Athletics, tells SportTechie.
“Off the field, from database services to marketing analytics–just to name a couple departments–there’s more science behind the game than you may see at first glance,” added Pries.
For Chevron, this venture aligns with the company’s goals of assisting engineers, scientists, and a highly skilled, STEM-based workforce. They want to promote STEM education and foster the skills that students need for the jobs of today and the future. This event sparked an opportunity to highlight STEM studies and its applicable case through baseball.
“Our partnership with the Oakland A’s allowed kids to see first-hand how STEM is relevant and important in baseball, as well as everyday life. Through Chevron STEM ZONE activities on the field, kids were able to see how STEM plays a role in different aspects of the game,” says Mark Ayers, Chevron Richmond’s Chief of Emergency Services and Board Member of the Richmond Police Activities League.
With the aid from San Jose State University students, the Little Leaguers engaged in Chevron STEM ZONE’s activities, which included biomechanics, thermal imaging, and visual feedback.
Dr. K. Virginia Lehmkuhl-Dakhwe, Director of the Jay Pinson STEM Education Program at San Jose State University, and Alexander Zavala, SJSU STEM ZONE Instructor Captain, mentions to SportTechie that the vertical jump was one of the first STEM facets showcased. Here, Little Leaguers performed a series of vertical jumps starting from two different positions. The second began from an upright stance, and then squatting before jumping as high as possible. They were asked for their hypothesis prior to jumping; instructors then explained how one’s position affects the height of one’s jump–covered biomechanics as well as a stretch-shorten cycle.
Secondly, the thermal imaging part had the Little Leaguers focused at a monitor that projected their image through an infrared scale. The instructors showed them the difference in temperature that was being distilled, which correlates to what athletes see to know how much their muscles have worked. Also, by making them rub their hands together and then placing them on their chest, their hand print would remain visible after removing it–infrared radiation and biochemical radiation noted.
Thirdly, visual feedback took place in the form of Little Leaguers throwing a few beanbags into a catcher target until they were comfortable. After which, they sported vision-impairing goggles to do the same kind of throw. Once they got the hang of it, they continued to miss the target without the eyewear, too. The purpose of this exhibit was to demonstrate how the brain functions in concert with the eyes to help one see. The perception of the eyes doesn’t solely depend on what the eyes see, but also the brain’s role in conjunction with one’s vision process.
“From talking to the kids, most of them loved the vision-impairing goggles that alter your sight,” says Mark Torres, President of Richmond Little League, with regards to what stood out among the children’s interactions.
The main outcome of this Chevron STEM ZONE was that these Little Leaguers learned just how prevalent science is within baseball. Even the simplest movements by baseball players are directly related back to scientific explanation. Through this kind of exposure, elementary steps towards opening their horizons for new and exciting, science-based interests emerge.
According to a study by SmartAsset, a software-based finance company, the city of Oakland ranks in the country’s top five for STEM-related career paths, included with Bay Area neighbors in San Francisco and San Jose atop the list. The ultimate opportunity of employment within this sector certainly exists locally, which should continue to be encouraged as a goal. The last few years has shown some strides to bridge the science gap in Oakland–at least in terms of access. Oakland’s Board of Education passed an act calling for more science instruction minutes to be dedicated among elementary schools’ weekly agenda. There’s been a high turnover rate of science teachers in the secondary level, which has impeded progress. The Oakland Unified School District, though, is trying to spur its science department’s efforts in the right direction.
The current state of STEM education and MLB, in some respects, do cross paths. There’s a burgeoning rise for science-based learning to be adopted–both in academics and baseball–in order to excel. The gradual embrace of such knowledge seems to be expedited by each passing day.
Tony LaRussa, current Chief Baseball Officer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, as a baseball lifer is one dignitary that would know best, especially being personally on-hand at this Athletics’ function.
“There has been an explosion in the use of technology during the years I’ve been managing. It started with video, and making tapes of games. Now, players and coaches can analyze what happens on the field in total detail. Most of the attention now is on the technology of metrics and using computers to calculate probabilities and efficiencies,” LaRussa tells SportTechie.
Still, when the game begins, he believes players become “intuitive scientists” by employing “observational analytics” to make split-second decisions.
For example, LaRussa expounds on the scientific merits of hitting: “Bat speed is an important indicator of your power potential–scientifically, it’s the force applied. The corollary is the spin off of the bat; hitters with a little less bat speed can make up for it by hitting the ball from top to bottom (known as underspin). A ball with over-spin doesn’t carry as far. Learning the physics of all of this is key to the game.”
The quest for learning starts with being inquisitive. STEM education in Oakland and the greater Bay Area is imperative to build tomorrow’s future, today. The Oakland Athletics and Chevron’s partnership just scratches the surface of its potential–a broader-reaching one is encapsulated with the San Francisco 49ers.
Simply put by LaRussa: “It’s science that turns talent into skill.”
