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Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Daily Bruin: Statistics shed light on baseball’s performance

Well...glad to see UCLA teaches more than just Fundamentals of Ho-Dadaism: Nu-Wave Art 101.

A deeper look at the team’s statistics can provide insight and identify the root of the Bruins’ subpar performance this season.

The team’s overall batting average on balls in play, which is a statistic that measures a player’s batting average based on the number of balls put in play without counting strikeouts, sacrifice flies or home runs, is .333. This means that, compared to the team’s overall batting average of .272, the number of balls put into play that are falling for hits is high for the Bruins.

A high average of this kind is usually an indicator of luck and porous opposing team defense. The Bruins’ figure of .333 is actually lower than the average .348 of all the other Pac-10 teams, suggesting that perhaps the Bruins are running into a bit of tough luck when facing opposing defenses.

However, the difference between UCLA’s balls in play average and batting average, .061, which is higher than the .045 difference among the conference, could also mean that the Bruins just aren’t making contact with the ball as well as other teams.

Repoz Posted: May 15, 2008 at 06:31 AM | 3 comment(s)
Related News: General, Sabermetrics, College

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1. AROM Posted: May 15, 2008 at 09:06 AM (#2781647)

Sabermetrics has always been mostly a hobby. Anybody can do it, credentials are not important, just the work you put out. I guess that's the way it has to be since 99.9% of sabermetricians are unpaid. But this leadin (did not RTFA) makes me wonder if we should start issuing licsences.

A high average of this kind is usually an indicator of luck and porous opposing team defense.

You can't make that statement about hitters. Hitters have much more control over balls in play than pitchers.

Bruins’ figure of .333 is actually lower than the average .348 of all the other Pac-10 teams

In other words, the .333 mark isn't high at all. Everything's relative. With metal bats, there is no reason to think the .300 figure common in major league baseball should be relevant to other conditions of play.

However, the difference between UCLA’s balls in play average and batting average, .061, which is higher than the .045 difference among the conference, could also mean that the Bruins just aren’t making contact with the ball as well as other teams.

Why the mathematical masturbation? There's an easy way to see if they are making contact - strikeout rate.

2. chgreer Posted: May 15, 2008 at 09:16 AM (#2781657)

You can't make that statement about hitters. Hitters have much more control over balls in play than pitchers.

Is this statement true in a college environment as well? I remember the original study was for MLB pitchers/hitters. I can believe that the non-uniform (relatively) competition levels in lesser leagues could conceivably change this conclusion. I'm not saying that it will change, just wondering if anyone has looked at it.

3. AROM Posted: May 15, 2008 at 09:26 AM (#2781662)

I haven't studied college stats. It very well could be that there is much more variation in pitcher ability on balls in play. I would be shocked if college hitters were found to have relativley little variation.

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Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Daily Bruin: Statistics shed light on baseball’s performance

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