Baseball Stats

quote:

Originally posted by Out in LF:
There are a lot of discrepancies in DMN. I think it mainly stems from misinformation given to them by the schools and scorekeepers.

I have noticed that substitution players and pinch hitters are mentioned as the starter in regards to hitting stats all the time, this is from several different schools. ie (player hits a 2 run HR, who came in as a sub in 5th inning, player he subbed in for was mentioned as the HR hitter). Another example starting pitcher goes 2 innings gives up 2 runs leaves game to due back stiffness, in 4th inning the game is tied then lost in the 8th inning and the starter that left game in the 2nd is reported as the loser.

Agreed.

The other thing we have to remember is that how something is scored (e.g.: hit or error) can be different from one book to the next on the same play. IOW, home team gives its batter a basehit, while the visiting team records an error in their book.

At least I do not believe there is a true "official scorer" when it comes to how a team keeps its own stats... and then DMNews/MaxPreps, etc just post what is submitted to them by each individual team.

I really struggle with the importance of stats in a short hs season. However, I do believe they can shed some light on evaluating players. I have evolved over the years to now believing that a coach should not have thier stats published because unlike football where their are ten thousand coaches per team where you can have assistant coaches attend multiple games, in baseball it is just the opposite because there are very few coaches to physically scout a game. Stats can give you an idea how the batting order is setup based on the number of at bats per player, or the batting order based on looking at game changer. They may tell you who the power hitters are, who strikes out alot or walks alot or any other useful information that the opposing coach can gain an advantage.

Having said that I think players on the team should have access to that information. I personally prefer using some type of point system where the players are evaluated on having good at bats. For example, laying down a bunt, moving a base runner, working a walk, making the pitcher throw 10 or more pitches duirng an at bat, executing a hit and run, hitting the ball hard even if it is right to a player, executing a sacrifice fly, hitting the ball the opposite way, points for not striking out and plate discipline etc. I think this approach is more beneficial because to a certain degree stats particulary in a short season does not accurately gauge who are the best hitters or where they should be in the lineup. A player could be hititng line drives that are not getting through because the ball is hit right to the fielder. Yet another batter hits three bloopers and is 3 for 3 or although he is not hitting the ball hard he is hitting slow rollers which are very difficul to field so he is getting on base. My sense is the kid who is hitting line drives is probably the best hitter in this scenario.

The other issue is that parents sometimes loo at stats and say well 8 hole little Johnny has a better average than 3 hole Billy and as such should be hitting in the 3 hole. Not realizing that little Johnny is getting nothing but fast balls on the plate and Billy may see 3 fast balls the whole game with none being on the plate. Billy is getting a steady diet of curve balls, change ups and sliders. His average is less than Little Johnny but he has productive at bats because he is putting the ball in play and moving runners and occasionally getting hits. There are many other reasons why stats don't tell the whole story such as when a coach purposely mixes up his left hand hitters with right hand hitters in his line up. I don't think we as parents always understand these nuisances.

I for one prefer the point approach than stats because it helps teaches the kids how to play the game and that you can help your team even when you don't show up in the box score such as laying down a perfectly ececuted suicide squeeze that wins the game in the bottom of the 7th inning that gets you in the playoffs. A lesser informed parent or casual fan may look at little Johnny 3 bloopers and say he had a good day by going 3 for 3 and yes the baseball gods did reward him and the box score will show this but if I am a coach I am happy for little Johnny but I know he can't live on that kind of hitting. However, I am just as happy for the other kid who does not show up in the box score because everybody is happy when you win and that suicide squeeze was just as important than those 3 bloopers.

Amen Brother!!!! I couldn't agree with you more!!!

Has anyone seen in the DFW papers about district records? I seen that on Tuesday's they list the top area stat leaders. I know about dfwvarsity.com but even that they are in no order. I guess they are saving ink this year.

I am trying to find leaders for all districts. I even have to throw in softball since I follow that also.

http://www.dallasnews.com/spor...baseball-news/#stats
Try this... select standings