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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Opportunity Cost and Pitching

A good illustration of the opportunity cost of a pitcher trying to pitch inside:



Opportunity cost is usually defined as what you give up when you get something else. In this case the pitcher is trying to establish that he will pitch on the inside part of the strike zone (close to the batter). When the pitcher tries to 'get' the inside part of the strike zone, he runs the risk of hitting the batter (and making him very mad). In this case the pitcher is giving up some (maybe all) of his personal safety when he pitches inside.

I enjoy trying to illustrate concepts with unique applications. Does anybody see any other
applications from this video?

-Brad

(HT Deadspin)

3 comments:

  1. that pitcher just became a lot more risk averse

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm not sure this is an example of opportunity cost. The opportunity cost of a choice is the best foregone alternative. The opportunity cost of throwing an inside pitch is some other pitch (perhaps a slider that paints the outside corner).

    The beating that a pitcher (may) receive for throwing inside is simply a consequence of the choice.

    In my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I see what you are saying. I will try to edit it to make more sense.

    ReplyDelete