Baseball stars may be receiving an unexpected boost from climate change.
A Dartmouth College study suggests that climate change has led to an increase in home runs in Major League Baseball.
An estimated 500 home runs since 2010 can be attributed to global warming, according to the study.
Other factors have contributed to the increased amount of home runs in baseball, including changes in ballpark construction, pitcher analytics and player training.
Of all the ways Major League Baseball players could be getting help in hitting home runs, few people likely guessed climate change would be one. But a new study says just that—a total of about extra 50 home runs a year.
The study was conducted by scientists from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire who analyzed 100,000 major-league games as well as 220,000 balls put into play. After adding in weather conditions, the scientists said they found a correlation between higher temperatures and home runs. In fact, the researchers reported that more than 500 home runs since 2010 can be attributed to global warming.
“In addition to factors such as the construction of the baseball, performance-enhancing drugs, advanced technology, analytics and player training, climate change has been raised as a potential contributor to home run trends,” the Dartmouth scientists wrote.
Citing laws of science, the researchers explain air becomes less dense and thinner in higher temperatures, which results in less resistance that can slow a baseball’s flight.
