Batting Average and Beyond: The Framing of Statistics Within Regional Major League Baseball Broadcasts

in International Journal of Sport Communication
Zachary W. Arth * , 1 and Andrew C. Billings * , 2
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  • 1 Marist College
  • 2 The University of Alabama
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2020-0112
Keywords:
commentary; graphics; sabermetrics; sport broadcasting
In Print:
Ahead of Print
Pages:
1–21
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This study analyzed the frequency with which the regional broadcasts of the 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams featured traditional and modern/advanced statistics. To understand these portrayals, 60 games, two from each MLB team, were coded. The coded content consisted of any on-screen graphic featuring one or multiple baseball statistics, as well as any comment from the broadcasters about statistics. The results indicated a clear spectrum of teams, with some featuring a high level of advanced metrics in their graphics and commentary, while some were substantially more traditional. Through the lens of framing, potential ramifications for statistical knowledge within different fan bases were discussed.

Arth is with the Dept. of Communication, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA. Billings is with the Dept. of Journalism and Creative Media, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.

Arth (zachary.arth@marist.edu) is corresponding author.

International Journal of Sport Communication

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