Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365

Help me out here... from reading the catcher fielding chart, it appears passed ball rating is mostly independent of range rating, so a 4 range with a pb-5 rating is the same as a 1 range with a pb-5 rating, except the 4 will have more chances of a passed ball than a 1.

From what I can tell, the worse the range, the more likely it is that you will give up a wild pitch or a error on foul popup (depending on the catcher's error rating or pitcher's WP rating)?

The range will also deal with choppers in front of the plate. While Johnny Bench picks up the ball and throws out the runner a 1st, Johnny Blanchard will throw late and allow a single.

I've been told that it also helps on plays at the plate. But I've had great small sample size results with Ken Rudolph on those, so I am not sure if I believe it.

I think it would be a nice feature addition if catchers had a separate rating for blocking the plate.

In fact since the game is computerized I would like to see a project developed where the entire fielding rating process is revisited. Differentiate between catcher range jumping in front of plate to gun down singles. different rating on his range running back and to side for foul balls. And different ratings for passed balls and wild pitches. Technically wild pitches are on the pitcher but we all know a catcher good at sliding left/right or snagging a ball on the hop can save pitchers a few passed balls.

Would like to see a rating for first basemen reflecting how frequently they scoop throws in the dirt to save an infielder an error. And for other infielders a rating that indicates how often they make an accurate throw and how frequently they make an errant throw that needs a first baseman to save them from an error.

And then since computers can check fielding charts rather quickly have a super computer fielding chart that allows for all balls put in play to get referred to the fielding chart. Thus a pitcher with lots of ground balls will be at risk of being victimized by defense unless you have drafted good infielders. And one who induces more ground balls to the right or left side of the infield will need similar matching of strengths/weaknesses. It would become more important to have good fielders if you have filled your pitching staff with high go/ao ration pitchers. Likewise with strikeout and fly ball pitchers you might get by with lesser fielding infielders. More realism closer to real baseball and additional options for more ways to build a winning ballclub. Win Win.