Although the results shown in table 4 are consistent with the earlier information, we see that increased variability is introduced when the data sets get smaller. One conclusion to be drawn here is that the response of a given team in a given season may be contrary to the overall trend without seriously compromising that larger picture. Overall conclusions 1. There is no consistent change in the rate of hits per adjusted at bat due to artificial surface. There is a striking change in the distribution of type of hit on artificial surface.
Singles are consistently lower on the turf, but doubles and triples are dramatically increased.
Any attempt to offer a mechanism to account for these results must directly consider observable player responses to the two different surfaces. That assertion seems to be indisputable, not only by observation from the sidelines, but also by listening to the men who play the game. However, the consequences of this increased speed of ground balls is less obvious. The first thought might be that more balls will get through because of the greater speed. However, infielders clearly play several steps deeper on turf than they do on grass.