Freakonomics covered this in one of their podcasts. Their finding was that home-field advantage had more to do with the crowd influencing the calls of the officials. They would typically favor the home team. I wonder if this will change further with the use of VAR.
It's amazing that the MLB has the smallest home field advantage, despite the fact that baseball fields are actually pretty different from each other.
I would've thought stuff like being used to the visual backdrop behind a pitcher's arm would let you see a pitch better or knowing where to stand to best play a ball caroming off the outfield wall would give more of an advantage.
> It's amazing that the MLB has the smallest home field advantage
And given that, relative to the other sports, there's an actual difference in the rules and play of the game based on which team is at home (less so now hat the DH is in both leagues).
Speaking on crowds influencing officials, I think this has been obvious in MMA with no crowds.
There are times of little action where the ref separates fighters, typically as the inaction goes on the crowd boos more and more. With no crowd different strategies have been implemented to allow for a slower pace at times.
Also the commentators talk so loud in the empty arenas the players have said they can hear them and make adjustments based on their commentary.
Last week a commentator shouted out to stop a fight at a UFC event which has caused some turmoil afterwards as well.
Fans can also now hear all the strikes and slams to the mat watching at home because of the silence. It's made it a much better experience imo.
While all this is happening the judges are also sitting ring side so there is certainly a human factor of outside influence going on in their decision making. (MMA and boxing judges are notorious incompetent)
I would've thought stuff like being used to the visual backdrop behind a pitcher's arm would let you see a pitch better or knowing where to stand to best play a ball caroming off the outfield wall would give more of an advantage.