Does Homefield Matter?

[Fike85]

I'll keep it short and simple: Does it really matter if a team is playing at home and if so, why.

[endaround]

Yes. If for no otehr reason than having the last set of ABs gives the home team a large advantage in close games.

[rluzinski]

Considering the fact that the home team has, on average, an 8% better winning % at home than on the road, there's no question that it helps. WHY is the bigger question. Much has to do with the "last AB" scenario described above but there's obviously something more human involved.

[RightFieldCoder]

I think not only having the last AB, but knowing your homefield (the walls around the stadium, cut of the grass for bounces, etc), and being able to be living out of your "home" and not a hotel room all help give a team that extra 8% to win.

[endaround]

Teams also tend to be molded to fit their home stadium.