MLB teams take scouting to new level, track umps

I often wondered if teams did this, and it turns out that some do. An interesting read.

about 2 years ago delorean 18 comments 0 recs |

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When he was a player, they just knew which ones had the sweet connection for blow.

Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller

by Johnny Disaster on May 10, 2010 2:33 PM PDT reply actions

I think they should take this data, then use it to discipline umpires who do not call strikes in the zone, or call them out of the zone.

When it starts to show they have tendencies one way or the other, they are influencing the game too much.

Proud Adoptive Parent of Jesus Guzman, who has been resurrected and has returned to..(reads)...Fresno? And is also an outfielder now.

#2 in Fanshots

Bochy: What’s this fancy stat here?
IT Guy: That’s how often they get on base. I do not know why you keep asking me, I am here to fix your server.

by scout6 on May 10, 2010 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

Problem is, Bud Selig is running the show. He’s not really interested in things “that make sense for the game”, but rather things “that put money in the owners pocket”. The umpires have a union and labor agreement, and anything to actually “judge their performance” will take a “concession from the owners”. Basically, Bud Selig is a fucktard.

by Missing Barry on May 10, 2010 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes, the biggest problem with umpiring is the union.

Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller

by Johnny Disaster on May 10, 2010 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions

One of these words

Seems to show up in sentences like this a lot.

McC's Outstanding Newcomer '08.

by FairweatherFan on May 10, 2010 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions

The

Man, that word is in all sorts of sentences!

GROUGTHINK ALERT
The first Chester Arthur fanboy ever.

by groug on May 10, 2010 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions

;)

…

McC's Outstanding Newcomer '08.

by FairweatherFan on May 10, 2010 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions

No!

Basically, Bud Selig is a fucktard.

The problem. :(

by Missing Barry on May 10, 2010 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Seconded.

Proud Adoptive Parent of Jesus Guzman, who has been resurrected and has returned to..(reads)...Fresno? And is also an outfielder now.

#2 in Fanshots

Bochy: What’s this fancy stat here?
IT Guy: That’s how often they get on base. I do not know why you keep asking me, I am here to fix your server.

by scout6 on May 10, 2010 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t think the umpiring is all that bad. It’s not like the mid 90’s where the braves catchers were setting up in the opposite batters box and getting it called a strike.

"People are getting the message, the right people are getting it, but the people we want to further attract, or make sure we hold onto, are being affected by what we consider the lunatic fringe. That's my frustration, that they don't have a bigger view of the world." - Brian Sabean

by deadmeat27 on May 10, 2010 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions

From this season alone

Proud Adoptive Parent of Jesus Guzman, who has been resurrected and has returned to..(reads)...Fresno? And is also an outfielder now.

#2 in Fanshots

Bochy: What’s this fancy stat here?
IT Guy: That’s how often they get on base. I do not know why you keep asking me, I am here to fix your server.

by scout6 on May 10, 2010 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Does their strike zone display take into account the heights of the individual batters? I’ve always sort of assumed the top and bottom of the displayed zone would be for some typical sized player and not the actual batter.

Utter frustration and futility.
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller

by Johnny Disaster on May 10, 2010 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't really know. But some visual memory I have would make me learn towards no.

It’s pitch f/x so if someone not as lazy as I would like to check on it…

Proud Adoptive Parent of Jesus Guzman, who has been resurrected and has returned to..(reads)...Fresno? And is also an outfielder now.

#2 in Fanshots

Bochy: What’s this fancy stat here?
IT Guy: That’s how often they get on base. I do not know why you keep asking me, I am here to fix your server.

by scout6 on May 10, 2010 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I definitely remember the batter getting a hell of a lot bigger when Randy Johnson was in the box last year… But I could be imagining things.

Also, didn’t one of our pitchers (Runzler, I think) have a strike this year where it was like right down the middle and the ump didn’t call it? No problem if you don’t have the pic saved like you do with these, I’m just trying to remember properly.

Adoptive father of the enigmatic Michael Sandoval, and living vicariously through his proximity to Joe Mauer and the Panda.

by Solidarity on May 11, 2010 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions

I usually go through and delete ones that are a few weeks old

and will only grab them if they happen in potentially back breaking situations or are absolutely erroneous.

Proud Adoptive Parent of Jesus Guzman, who has been resurrected and has returned to..(reads)...Fresno? And is also an outfielder now.

#2 in Fanshots

Bochy: What’s this fancy stat here?
IT Guy: That’s how often they get on base. I do not know why you keep asking me, I am here to fix your server.

by scout6 on May 11, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes, lets use biased data to judge performance!

Matt Graham is an anagram for .... why don't you ask the scrabble expert!

by say hey nation on May 11, 2010 5:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I am not sure it's all that bisased.

The article makes it sound like these reports may be pitch f/x driven showing where calls were in relation to the zone and if they were called a strike or not. Then there is also their personal stuff, like name of wife and mistress.

Proud Adoptive Parent of Jesus Guzman, who has been resurrected and has returned to..(reads)...Fresno? And is also an outfielder now.

#2 in Fanshots

Bochy: What’s this fancy stat here?
IT Guy: That’s how often they get on base. I do not know why you keep asking me, I am here to fix your server.

by scout6 on May 11, 2010 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions

This only makes sense, to me. I’ve assumed for several years that any reasonably bright organization would attempt something like this, just as a logical outgrowth of the old-fashioned “he’s a low-ball umpire”-style of information gathering.

Krukow always seems to know this type of info, and in fact, since I just got MLB Extra Innings this year, that’s one of things I most appreciate about Krukow’s work. I would think the starting pitchers would have picked up some umpire traits over the years.

Stay hot, Nate!

Proud adoptive parent of Sergio Romo.

by Lyle on May 11, 2010 1:00 PM PDT reply actions