Shortstop to First

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Case Study Prompt

In professional baseball, how long does it take for a baseball to travel from the shortstop to first base?

Assumptions:

• The bases are 90 feet apart.
• The distance from shortstop to first base is about 120 feet.
• A major league pitcher can throw about 90-95 mph.
• A major league shortstop can throw about 80 mph.

Case Study Overview

In this Market Sizing case / Brainteaser, you’re being asked a creative question meant to test both your analytical and creative thinking processes. Solve the case by breaking down the solution into component parts.

Make sure to follow the 4 steps:

1. Structure your approach (at least 5 steps is ideal)
2. Make assumptions
3. Run the calculations
4. Derive an insight

The best case study examples challenge you to think creatively – this case is certainly no exception!

This case is something you might see in a round 0 phone interview, or as a smaller component of another case (i.e. an M&A case with a Market Sizing element).

Hint: you’ll find the answer on the last page of the case study – score yourself to see how well you did in the case.

BCG Interview Tips

If you want to do well in your BCG interview, demonstrate that you possess great structure and communication skills.

Good structure is nothing if you’re not able to communicate it effectively!

Make the most out of this case by identifying 1 or 2 areas where you have room for growth.

Book a session with an ex-MBB coach for out-loud case practice. Find more of the web’s best case study examples by clicking back to the Case Library.