While the acronym "SABR" was used to coin the word sabermetrics (for the use of sophisticated mathematical tools to analyze baseball), the Society is about much more than statistics.

Well-known figures in the baseball world such as Bob Costas, Keith Olbermann, Craig R. Wright, and Rollie Hemond are members, along with highly regarded "sabermetricians" such as Bill James and Rob Neyer.

The headquarters also maintains a number of research tools on its website, including a lending library, home run and triple play logs, and course syllabi related to the game.

The conference generally includes panel discussions, research presentations, city-specific tourism, a ballgame, and an awards banquet.

The 2017 convention in New York City, set the attendance record with 806 registered attendees out of approximately 7,000 SABR members.