Baseball’s Statistical Revolution Marches On

I hope that the data is made available to the public. Baseball history has shown that the most useful analysis has been done by people outside the game - and that those algorithms then become a part of the mainstream.

Regardless, pretty darn cool technology that does automatically what teams have been doing with charts for years.

I would guess that MLB would make the data proprietary, and I think that would be a mistake.

If they are smart, they would release the data and then encourage open source development of software to figure out what to do with it. Who knows what might be conceived by an infinite number of monkeys at an infinite number of typewriters.

I suspect it will be Moneyball's/Sabermetric's analytical end-game:

They will certainly cross reference this data against FX/pitch and performance stats....

and then, when Scott Boras arrives with his under-producing, over-hyped client, the GM says “BUT LOOK AT THIS!” we can get 90% of what you have here, for 50% of the cost....and 100% less heartburn.

And when the stats show that Jeter doesn't have much range the Yankee fans will still say:

"Jeter we love ya, A-Rod ya bum."

Do we really need this ???


BTW

Jeter is playing as well this year as he ever has

Very cool stuff, but I fear Rob is right. The biggest mistake MLB could make would be to make the data exclusive and disallow fans a part in the analysis. If they can see what Apple has done with iPhone apps, they might see a whole new way to allow fans, software developers, (and monkeys) enhanced access to the game.

Personally, I would love to see hard "hustle, technical and concentration" analysis.

Meaning:

Right feilder A maintains a 95% efficiency in the combined personal skills of positioning, reaction time, tracking, route and speed (effort).

meanwhile:

Right feilder B maintains a 80% (or less) efficiency in the combined personal skills of positioning, reaction time, tracking, route and speed (effort).

How many gapped doubles are cut-off?
How many hits taken away?
etc etc....

Once again, someone needs to buy TR a sense of humor. Please somebody?

CADAD

I can tell you that I have a sense of humor second to none--- All I asked was do we need all this analysis stuff---we now have statistics for the statictics thanx to the Elias Bureau

quote:

do we need all this analysis stuff-

This is merely an advanced hard-data measurement/collection system.

Analysis comes later.

I'd certainly like my spray chart to associate exit speed (of batted balls) with pitch type, speed and location. It would also certainly help in defensive positioning and substitutions.

If I were responsible for a $100mil+ MLB payroll, I'd want it.

Your reference to Jeter made me think that you were saying "Do we really need this" in reference to my post. My mistake and yes he is having a good year at the plate.

Now about that sense of humor...

By now I'd imagine most Websters have expereinced some of the Sports Vision technology, but if you've never visited their web page, its worth a look: http://sportvision.com.

Don't tell anyone, but I'd quit my fine new brewery job to work for them.