At one time, the pandemic forced many people to change their lifestyles. MLB baseball players, for example, spent their evenings playing video games instead of practicing on the field. But they weren’t just doing it to pass the time. Video games helped many athletes keep their skills sharp during their extended stays at home, and when they returned to the field, they were at full strength.
San Francisco Giants right guard Hunter Pence talked about how video games benefited him after his quarantine. Pence preferred to play World of Warcraft, which, according to him, is based on scientific principles that help him make quick decisions. Pence noted that in many video games, you must work on timing and anticipation, similar to how a player recognizes a pitch on a baseball field.
Pence shared that he has improved his skills as a right-handed defender through World of Warcraft. For example, he utilized his peripheral vision during the game, which is necessary when a player is in the outfield and has to focus on many things at once: watching players near the bases, keeping an eye on the ball, etc.
Pence is an avid gamer. He hosts a channel on Twitch where he often broadcasts his favorite games, including Diablo, Magic: The Gathering, and World of Warcraft. The Twitch channel has more than 20,000 subscribers. Pence said he doesn’t stream much during the season, but he usually streams thrice a week during the offseason.
Researchers have found that video games help keep the brain active and functioning. The paper, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, analyzed over 100 studies. Video games enhance specific brain skills and improve sustained and selective attention. Researchers also found that video games increase the size and efficiency of brain regions associated with visual-spatial skills.
Not all baseball players are avid gamers; some enjoy the competitive aspect of video games. For example, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher John Duplantier said he is more of a casual gamer. In quarantine, he preferred to play Call of Duty, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., and Madden. Some baseball players are more into gambling activities such as online casinos or sports betting. Rugby Star and other popular modern slots are popular.
It is worth noting that internet gambling has become really popular in recent years. In some countries, it has gained extraordinary fame. For example, the residents of Nigeria spend almost a billion dollars on such entertainment daily!
Also, the quarantine led to many baseball players not communicating with friends or teammates. Duplantier said that he compensated for his lack of socializing by playing video games where he could socialize with other players.
Even after the quarantine, video games continue to benefit the athletes. Pence shared that professional players are constantly under the scrutiny of the media, fans, and haters. Video games help baseball players take their minds off these thoughts and reboot.
The material was prepared with the support of India1win.