Executing fundamentals reduces lucky outcomes in baseball and FIRST Robotics

     The Toronto Blue Jays lost in Game 7 of the World Series of Major League Baseball.  Like in many other types of competitions, baseball competitors cannot control chance events like a ball hit hard between two defending players or a ball landing barely in fair territory.  However, competitors can control what they can to put themselves in the best possible position to increase their likelihood for success.

     In the first inning, Blue Jays slugger George Springer reached first base.  With only out, George Springer starting running to second base on a "hit-and-run" play.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. struck out for the second out.  However, Springer stopped sprinting mid-way to second base based on the assumption that Guerrero Jr. received a Ball 4 call.  Immediately after the strikeout, the Dodgers' catcher threw the ball to the second baseman, who very easily tagged Springer out for the double play, ending the inning.  Had Springer continued to sprint hard into second base despite the outcome of the at-bat by Guerrero, perhaps Springer would be safe at second base.  Although we wouldn't know the batting outcome for Bo Bichette, the next batter, Springer could at least control what he can to increase the likelihood for success.   Instead, Springer made himself get called out to end the offensive threat, which was completely avoidable and leaving more of the outcome to chance.

     In the ninth inning, the Blue Jays' pinch runner Isiah Kiner-Falefa was called out at home plate by a split second on a bases-loaded force play.  The other base runners had a secondary lead, anticipating to run on contact by the hitter.  Unlike the other baserunners, Kiner-Falefa stayed on third base during the pitch to home plate.  Had Kiner-Falefa left third base with a secondary lead, he possibly could have reached home plate just in time with the winning run of the game and the World Series:    
https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1984827583092179216
     
     The baseball season is long  like the season of many other competitions like the FIRST Robotics Competition.  During the season, competitors repeatedly practice  the finely-detailed fundamentals to execute the action when the momentous opportunity comes about.  Many people define luck as "preparation meets opportunity".  If the fundamentals are executed timely, the competitors control what they can for a favourable outcome.  When fundamentals aren't executed, more of the outcome  - favourable or not, is left to chance.