A Sports and Science Question

 

 

 

AN INTERESTING SCIENCE AND SPORTS QUESTION

Let’s say the weather is 0 degrees fahrenheit. Wind is minimal. It’s clear, but bitter cold.

Let’s also say that two average teams from each of the four major sports leagues (meaning professional teams from the NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB) were to play midseason game outdoors in those conditions.

Question: What would be the most likely outcome/score?

For instance, if a typical NFL football game was played in ideal conditions, the most likely final score would be 23-20 (or something close to that). That prediction is based on the scoring average at 43 points per game, and 3 being the most likely margin of victory. I suspect scoring in an NFL game would be lower somewhat based on severe cold, but the nature of the game not to be much different.

In the example of the typical NHL game, the most likely score in ideal conditions is 3-2, or perhaps 4-3. Based on games that have been played outdoors in freezing conditions, I don’t think scoring would change much (it might be slightly higher, but that’s open to debate). Some NHL games have been played outdoors in very cold conditions. I believe scoring was higher in some of those games. That said, NHL scoring would be impacted the least by severe weather conditions.

Now, for some speculation and fun….

Assuming the players were bundled up and stayed warm (which would undoubtedly impact performance), what’s the most likely final score in:

(1) A typical NBA game played outside, in 0 degree weather, but no wind.

(2) A typical MLB game played outside, in 0 degree weather, but no wind.

BONUS QUESTION: Same hypothetical…..but make it a soccer game. Use a typical game from the English Premier League.

I’ve thought this out some, but I think the answer isn’t clear, especially on the baseball question.

Comments?

 

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Note: We have to make the assumption that athletes are not going out there and losing fingers and toes because of frostbite. This is more of a performance-based question and how severe cold weather impacts the mechanics of movement and sports, and the ball, and pitching and shooting, and all of those high-level skill sets.