The problem with I-Rod

[PotKettleBlack]

That said...

Which would you prefer:

A catcher who reduces total stealing but throws out 25% of runners

Or

A catcher who invites stealing but throws out 35% of runners.

Let's put some numbers on this.
Assume .5 SB attempts per game is the league average. 82 steal attempts.

Catcher A sees 40 attempts and catches 10.

Catcher B sees 120 attempts and catches 42.

These are on otherwise equivalent teams. Same number of baserunners.

[1787]

IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY FROM MY DAYS [LONG AGO] WHEN I PLAYED THE BOARD GAME THE COMBINATION OF HOLDING THE RUNNER ON PLUS THE PITCHERS HOLD RATING AND THE CATCHERS THROWING ARM CANNOT EXCEED MINUS 6 REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH IT ADDS UP TO.

[Valen]

I seem to have a vague memory you are right 1787. That would mean if you have a -4 holding pitcher your -4 TA catcher is a little wasted.

As to which I prefer... How about a catcher like Pudge who reduced the number of attemts against him AND usually led the league in caught stealing percentage. An accurate simulation model would not force upon you the choice you outline.

Strat has come a long way since the early days. But it has been quite a while since meaningful improvement has been made.

[Mean Dean]

The combined hold and arm can't exceed plus or minus 5 (not 6.)

Simply put, theoretically, you should steal on the same percentage chance no matter who the catcher is. Thus, the only thing the catcher's arm affects should be the number of attempts. (Theoretically.)

It is true that HAL has an element of randomness to him, such that he might sometimes decline to attempt with a better chance, or attempt to steal with a worse chance. It's also true that having more SB attempts against you would be better for your defense, [i:847179b495]if[/i:847179b495] the "additional" SB attempts were at a lower percentage than break-even (67% or so). However, I am not sure how you could strategize to take advantage of either of those facts.

[1787]

Instead of [+] or [-] numerical values for pitchers they should be assigned letters AAA through D ratings that would either neutralize or improve a base runners ability to get a jump. [ A pitcher that is currently[ -3 ] would rate AA his new effect would be to reduce a runners jump number 4 die units, so a runner currently who 3-6 to get a jump would now be 3-4 and 6 as 5 = 4 die units and would be eliminated. Each letter would have a value of 2 die units AAA= -6 units
AA= -4
A= -2
B = 0 [NO CHANGE]
C = +2
D = +4
I believe this would be a better indication of how difficult it is to run a pitcher by altering the attempts that are made. The catcher throwing arm and the -2 for being held would remain the same.

any thoughts

[Valen]

I like it 1787. Though I might go a step further. Add your scheme to the current scheme for both pitchers and catchers.

So the +- of pitcher remain and have the same impact on success odds. But you add the additional rating that impacts the roll for checking a lead as you describe.

So one rating influences if a runner attempts a steal and the other his odds of success.

There is precedent for a change like this. At one time we just had the letter ratings which controlled odds of success only. Then the advanced stealing was introduced to include good and bad jump ratings. And there is the fielding rating which used to be just a single number that supposedly encompassed range and error probability. That was then split in to a range and an error rating.

Suggestions/discussions like this is why I think Strato should have a forum on these boards moderated by an employee of stratomatic. Direct interaction between a company and their customers. Customers getting a chance to suggest ways to improve the product resulting in better functioning product. Alas, a good idea that will never happen. :(

[mykeedee]

I agree with the above, but the catcher should have some effect on the runners jump as well. Maybe the same formula and two rating numbers. Pitcher has a +2 (steal success number) and a C (hold rating), Catcher has a -6 (arm rating) and a AAA (hold rating) adding them together and then subtract from the runner. So maybe AAA=(-3), AA=(-2), A(-1) B(0), C(+1), D(+2), E(+3) and F(+4). So in the above instance lower the achieve a good lead total by 2 and lower the safe rating by 4 or 5 if the runner is held.


Like you said Valen.