BTB with some Pitch F/X from the Futures Game

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 15, 2009 10:17 AM CDT

Beyond the Box Score offers some pitch f/x data from the Futures Game...

Some stat geeky type stuff there to check out...oh, and they list the 14 fastest pitches thrown in the game, as well. They were all thrown by the same pitcher. I'm betting you can guess who it was.

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Comments

Is there a

Pitch F/X for Dummies book?

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on Jul 15, 2009 10:24 AM CDT reply actions

If you get a copy can you share?

by GregoryM on Jul 15, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions

yeah,

same. i have no idea

Fresh since 1822

by kmacsm on Jul 15, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions

try this maybe

link

by Telegraph on Jul 15, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions

BTBs Pitch F/X explanations are rather lengthy.

They’re good, but long. I assume you’re just looking for basics (like, what do the X and Z coordinates mean).

First off, all numbers are based on the catcher’s perspective. The X-axis is horizontal, and the Z-axis is vertical. Negative X-axis numbers break in on a right-handed batter, while negative Z-axis numbers fall farther.

An extremely important thing to note is that all these numbers are based on a ball thrown at the same velocity, but only affected by gravity (thus, thrown with no spin, and without any wind effects taken into account — like a knuckleball in a vacuum).

Thus, Feliz’s fastball breaks in on a right-handed batter nine inches, and falls seven fewer inches than a pitch with no spin. You can validate these numbers by comparing them to the angle column.

Any greater experts can feel free to correct me here.

by jwiscarson on Jul 15, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions

thanks

Part of the problem is perspective. Everyone generally knows the a .300 batting avg is good. Same for a .360 obp or a 3.50 era. But with pitch f/x we haven’t yet learned how much break of a FB is normal. etc, etc, etc.

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on Jul 15, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions