April 21, 2015: MLB Advanced Media debuts the "Statcast era" tonight

[TwistedLogic]

http://i.gyazo.com/06f96ef562cedbb77ea900b30aeeae6f.png

 

Video: What is Statcast?

 

Article: Statcast debuts tonight on MLB Network

Article: 5 debates we can't wait for Statcast to settle.

Article: Statcast hits home run replays out of the park (Bautista, Donaldson featured)

 

Video: MLB Network on Statcast and the future of MLB

Video: Statcast on exit velocity (Bautista, Donaldson featured)

Video: Andrelton Simmons robs Travis d'Arnaud

Video: Kevin Pillar steals a home run

Video: Statcast breaks down pitching mechanics

Video: George Springer brings back a home run

 

These are some very promising developments for baseball fans and I've gotta say that I'm incredibly excited at what this new technology will bring. We will receive an immeasurable wealth of knowledge we previously had no access to, and the way that the average baseball fan sees and evaluates the game will change forever. Even off the field, this technology will absolutely impact how front offices are operated and whether or not it effects the leverage that sabermetrically-inclined teams previously had on their competition is definitely a story that I will be keeping an eye on.

 

Warning: Please be advised that if you are going to visit any of the above linked articles, please attempt to avoid the comments sections at all costs. In the event that you do not heed my warning, I will not be liable for any trauma or emotional distress that you may endure throughout the process.

[TheHurl]

Can't we just enjoy watching the game in its purest forn

[Sorrow]

Can't we just enjoy watching the game in its purest forn

 

No, that's not good enough.

[Atothe]

Can't we just enjoy watching the game in its purest forn

 

Get off my lawn

[TheHurl]

by purest form I meant drunk and naked.

[Boxcar]

I am honestly speechless that stupid fans are calling this clutter, or worse, useless.

 

Breathtaking, truly.

[Laika]

Problem with statcast right now is the announcers have no idea what to do with it. They just say what the spin rate, exit velocity, and route efficiency are.

 

I don't want to know what the route efficiency is when a guy makes a great catch - I want to know how rare the catch is relative to other outfielders considering first step, range, and efficiency.

[Boxcar]

I am baffled by the negative reaction from old people. Once announcers become familiar with what is average, above average, etc. this could lead to a lot of interesting discussion. The way these guys sound, it's like they wish there was no radar gun - they can see with their eyes if a guy is throwing hard, don't need no stinking radar gun, or a scoreboard - they don't need stinkin' numbers to tell them who's winning. Their eyes can see the better team.

[KingKat]

I am baffled by the negative reaction from old people. Once announcers become familiar with what is average, above average, etc. this could lead to a lot of interesting discussion. The way these guys sound, it's like they wish there was no radar gun - they can see with their eyes if a guy is throwing hard, don't need no stinking radar gun, or a scoreboard - they don't need stinkin' numbers to tell them who's winning. Their eyes can see the better team.

 

Old dogs meet new trick.

[Laika]

basically this is like the glow-puck in hockey. a gimmick for casuals

[leaffie]

I am baffled by the negative reaction from old people. Once announcers become familiar with what is average, above average, etc. this could lead to a lot of interesting discussion. The way these guys sound, it's like they wish there was no radar gun - they can see with their eyes if a guy is throwing hard, don't need no stinking radar gun, or a scoreboard - they don't need stinkin' numbers to tell them who's winning. Their eyes can see the better team.

 

I am an "old people" and maybe the reason there is a negative reaction, is that people that have watched and enjoyed the game for 50 years, don't enjoy being called stupid because they are not particularly interested in computer generated stats. It doesn't mean that they don't understand them, they are just not interested. Just as the sabre crowd is not interested in what scouts have to say.

[Boxcar]

basically this is like the glow-puck in hockey. a gimmick for casuals

 

Die

[KingKat]

I am an "old people" and maybe the reason there is a negative reaction, is that people that have watched and enjoyed the game for 50 years, don't enjoy being called stupid because they are not particularly interested in computer generated stats. It doesn't mean that they don't understand them, they are just not interested. Just as the sabre crowd is not interested in what scouts have to say.

 

Yeah I think that's it in a nutshell. People are more worried about being called stupid than in acquiring knowledge.

[KingKat]

Die

 

How many times has he trolled you at this point? You two are like the board's comedy duo.

[Boxcar]

I am an "old people" and maybe the reason there is a negative reaction, is that people that have watched and enjoyed the game for 50 years, don't enjoy being called stupid because they are not particularly interested in computer generated stats. It doesn't mean that they don't understand them, they are just not interested. Just as the sabre crowd is not interested in what scouts have to say.

 

No one is calling them stupid. Quite the opposite, actually, they are on the offensive against this new learning.

 

And the "I've watched the enjoyed the game for 50 years!" sounds like complacency to me. I'd argue the people who are constantly thirsting for new ways to appreciate the game enjoy it just as much (actually probably more because they mostly aren't solely interested in their own home team) but the old crowd is happy to use the spreasheeting nerd insult to the 0 people who are attacking their way of life. Reminds me of that "old man yells at clowd" thing from the Simpsons.

[Boxcar]

How many times has he trolled you at this point? You two are like the board's comedy duo.

 

Let's get one thing clear: I roasted him on DraftKings last night and he is still pretty salty.

[KingKat]

Let's get one thing clear: I roasted him on DraftKings last night and he is still pretty salty.

 

The plot thickens.

[leaffie]

I am honestly speechless that stupid fans are calling this clutter, or worse, useless."

 

You called them stupid in your opening post.

 

You are missing the point. I have a very good understanding of most of your new stats. But that is not why I love the game of baseball. If you love the game because of the stats, good for you. The difference is that I don't call you stupid because that is why or how you enjoy the game. You presume that anyone that is not interested, is a homer. You presume too much.

[leaffie]

Yeah I think that's it in a nutshell. People are more worried about being called stupid than in acquiring knowledge.

 

You assume with this incredibly stupid statement, that these same people are not interested in acquiring knowledge. One has nothing to do with the other.

[Boxcar]

I am honestly speechless that stupid fans are calling this clutter, or worse, useless."

 

You called them stupid in your opening post.

 

You are missing the point. I have a very good understanding of most of your new stats. But that is not why I love the game of baseball. If you love the game because of the stats, good for you. The difference is that I don't call you stupid because that is why or how you enjoy the game. You presume that anyone that is not interested, is a homer. You presume too much.

 

You don't get it, just like the rest of them. I don't enjoy a 10 pitch battle or crisp curve ball any less than you do.

 

I called them stupid because this will not impact their enjoyment of the game, but will mine and people like me. They would prefer that people like me not get this cool new toy.

 

Extending this conversation further is likely pointless.

[Atothe]

You don't get it, just like the rest of them. I don't enjoy a 10 pitch battle or crisp curve ball any less than you do.

 

I called them stupid because this will not impact their enjoytment of the game, but will mine and people like me. They would prefer that people like me not get this cool new toy.

 

Extending this conversation further is likely pointless.

 

Me, myself and I. Boxy is the fourth member of destiny's child

[Boxcar]

Me, myself and I. Boxy is the fourth member of destiny's child

 

Thank you for your valued contribution.

[King]

Me, myself and I. Boxy is the fourth member of destiny's child

 

Lol

[KingKat]

You assume with this incredibly stupid statement, that these same people are not interested in acquiring knowledge. One has nothing to do with the other.

 

Well they're not interested in this particular form of knowledge obviously or they wouldn't be reacting negatively so I'd hardly call my statement stupid but I do appreciate the irony of you using the very word that you criticize others for using.

[NorthOf49]

I can understand how people are turned off by Statcast after watching the MLB Network videos. The broadcasters present numbers that are meaningless without context (and none is provided) and act really excited, saying that knowing that George Springer can run 21.2 mph at 96% efficiency will revolutionize the fan experience. It won't and the numbers on their own are trivial clutter.

 

I would have commented similarly if I didn't know the value Statcast has after contextualizing the outputs by aggregation. It will help us understand the game's mechanics more comprehensively. MLB Network doesn't explain that though and neither does any other source the casual fan is locked into.

[leaffie]

There is a difference between calling people stupid and calling a statement stupid.

[KingKat]

There is a difference between calling people stupid and calling a statement stupid.

 

Yes obviously and despite what you might think, no one here is stupid enough not to realize that but some of us don't feel like splitting hairs. In terms of antagonizing people, calling a statement stupid doesn't get you off the hook. It was unnecesary, unwarranted and exactly the kind of pointless negativity you criticize in others. Despite the fact that you used the word differently, it's still ironic and hypocritical that you used it at all.

[Boxcar]

I can understand how people are turned off by Statcast after watching the MLB Network videos. The broadcasters present numbers that are meaningless without context (and none is provided) and act really excited, saying that knowing that George Springer can run 21.2 mph at 96% efficiency will revolutionize the fan experience. It won't and the numbers on their own are trivial clutter.

 

I would have commented similarly if I didn't know the value Statcast has after contextualizing the outputs by aggregation. It will help us understand the game's mechanics more comprehensively. MLB Network doesn't explain that though and neither does any other source the casual fan is locked into.

 

Of course, but it's pretty obvious that context will establish itself in a few weeks. Just like we are able to understand now that 89mph is poopy and 100mph is awesome, reaction time and route efficiency will eventually be understood in the good to bad range. People already mention things like pop time and speed to first, and people mostly get it.

 

I just feel like that is obvious and I have no clue why fans are so upset by this if it means a better understanding of who is underrated and who is over rated. Reminds me of the kid in my class who said he wouldn't trade Joffrey Lupul for Patrice Bergeron, more understanding is never a bad thing.

[closetjaysfan]

I think the actual numbers will be interesting to discuss in the future once a proper metric is developed. The graphics look cheap and cheezey though, I could see why people might complain.

[G-Snarls]

The main highlight on its first night? None other than Yunel Escobar with a walk-off home run:

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/119626736/tech-tacular-nationals-walk-off-win-caps-statcast-debut