The likelihood itself is a single number, but the algorithm is maximizing the likelihood based on a vector of 993 parameters representing the quality of a seat.

The likelihood itself is a single number, but the algorithm is maximizing the likelihood based on a vector of 993 parameters representing the quality of a seat. Each x,y coordinate represents a seat in the ballpark, and each seat is mapped to one of those 993 values. The heatmap evolves as the vector approaches maximum likelihood.