Data science team places high in baseball analytics event

Carthage students finished in the top five at a major data analytics competition co-sponsored by Major League Baseball.

Led by Nick Waring ’22, a computer science major with a data science minor, the Carthage group placed fifth out of 25 teams in the 2022 Diamond Dollars Virtual Case Competition. The team also included Jordan Wheeler ’24, Justin Wheeler ’25, Elena Knebel ’25, and Troy Siranovic ’23.

Credit: Image courtesy of SABR Held annually during the SABR Virtual Analytics Conference, the competition pits teams of students from undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs against one another. Asked to weigh the risks and rewards of proposed changes to increase the action in a baseball game, the Carthage team recommended an automated strike zone and a pitch clock.

A panel of judges from MLB and three of its franchises evaluated each team’s analysis and presentation. One judge wrote that Carthage submitted “one of the more thorough assessments,” and another was “quite impressed” with the team’s work.

“The week of their final presentation was their spring break, and they essentially gave up their spring break to work on the contest all that week, putting in long hours every day. Nick displayed real leadership in selecting, inspiring, and motivating the team,” said Erlan Wheeler, professor of mathematics and computer science.

“This was Nick’s vision from the start and reflects very well on his character and abilities,” added Professor Perry Kivolowitz, chair of the Computer Science Department. “Nick is bound to make a great contribution to whichever organization he chooses for his post-Carthage successes.”