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A historical examination of relative age effects in Major League Baseball.

A historical examination of relative age effects in Major League Baseball.

Authors :
BOLUN ZHANG
BAKER, JOSEPH
LEMEZ, SRDJAN
WATTIE, NICK
Source :
International Journal of Sport Psychology; Sep/Oct2018, Vol. 49 Issue 5, p448-463, 16p
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

This study examined the emergence and existence of relative age effects (RAEs) among American-born Major League Baseball (MLB) players participating between the 1871 and 2014 seasons (N = 16,122). This study also investigated a range of possible moderators of these effects (i.e., handedness, position, career length, and debut age). Overall, a significant RAE was found for players born between 1950 and 1970, with small RAEs (effect sizes ranging from .112 to .207) more common in pitchers (I950s-1970s) and right-handed throwingplayers (1960s and 1970s). Relative age did not appear to influence players' career length; however, a significant difference in debut age was found between birth quartiles. Overall, this longitudinal examination provides unique evidence about the occurrence and persistence of RAEs over the history of MLB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00470767
Volume :
49
Issue :
5
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
International Journal of Sport Psychology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
133765071
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.7352/IJSP2018.49.448