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April Speaker Series: Dr. Matthew Lewis

Short Stops and Long Shots: Analytics in the Pioneer Baseball League

Abstract: We will discuss a brief history of the Pioneer Baseball League (PBL) and highlight several completed and ongoing analytics projects aimed at helping players pursue their MLB dreams despite the long odds. Our work began by organizing league-wide data collection and developing an automated pitch classifier to improve tracking accuracy. With the introduction of the ball/strike challenge system, we created an umpire scorecard to evaluate officiating performance. To support league growth, we are analyzing attendance trends in similar markets to identify effective promotional strategies. On the player development side, we have built a ranking system to evaluate PBL talent and project potential 2025 players based on their past performance. Additionally, we are working on optimizing pitch sequencing for pitchers and developing a pitch predictor for batters. Beyond analytics, we also contribute to writing and editing league publications to enhance the PBL’s visibility.

This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.

Biography: Matthew Lewis earned his undergraduate degree mathematics from Westminster College and graduate degrees (MS-Mathematics, MEd-Secondary Mathematics, PhD-Mathematics) from Utah State University. Prior to working at BYU-I, Matt taught high school in Logan, Utah. Matt’s mathematical interests lie in the areas of mathematical education, mathematical ecology, and sports analytics. Other interests include baseball, fly fishing, a good haiku, and tacos.

Contact: lewisma@byui.edu

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March 14

2025 Section Meeting