Quote:
Originally Posted by Spielman
No. It doesn't. But every time it gets discussed here, somebody says something like this.
Saying that no pitch is totally and completely unhittable is not the same as saying that the pitcher has no control over whether the ball is hit. I mean, crap, why would you even say that? Saying a hitter has some control over the outcome of an at-bat isn't the same as saying the pitcher has no control over that same outcome.
Look, the whole DIPS discussion has moved past the stage of anyone important saying that pitchers have absolutely no control over BABIP. But the evidence it pretty clear that the pitcher's effect on it is dwarfed by that of the batter and the players playing defense. Can you at least admit that those two things would have an impact on BABIP without trying to make it out that anyone is saying everything is just like Cadaco All-Star Baseball, with no input at all from pitchers?
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Sorry, it's a new theory for me. And, admittingly, I have missed other discussions about it. I find it very interesting.
I may have misunderstood, but I read ALOT of "a pitcher can't control this and that". IMO (as of now), no a pitcher can't control where a ball is hit, but he can control (by raising %s of occurances) whether it's a ground ball, fly ball, weakly hit, etc. Which to me would indicate he does have some control over BABIP. I absolutely agree defense and the batter impact BABIP. 100%. But I also think the pitcher does (which I am getting from this thread that some think is not true).
As I said. This is all just speculation on my part from watching baseball games for 30+ years. I have done no research on the subject, so I am just speaking from what I've always thought was "common sense". I am interested in doing a little research on the subject when I get some time.
(BTW - anyone have some good links to help me get started ?)