Coaches Matter

Curve Ball Dave · 02-09-2017, 11:14 AM

It was mid June, my team was in last place primarily because my talented pitching staff was underachieving-again. My starters had the worst ERA in the league and while the bullpen was better, it wasn't enough as we were last in runs in allowed.

So I fired my pitching coach.

I signed a guy with a "Good" reputation.

We went on a tear and long story short jumped to second place. We've been there all summer and in early September are only a couple games out of first. The starters' ERA has plummeted, and the bullpen is lights out.

Coaches matter. Never think they don't.

Déjà Bru · 02-09-2017, 12:27 PM

Remember when they announced 17, they talked about the "Smarter, more cunning AI"? I am convinced, on empirical evidence, that coaching was a big part of that improvement.

What I mean is, I believe they increased the effect of coaching on results while at the same time giving the AI a better look "behind the scenes" than you have unless you go into the editor and look at ratings. And that is (intentionally?) cumbersome because you need to look at each coach one at a time, no scrolling through a list.

That's my theory.

Curve Ball Dave · 02-09-2017, 12:53 PM

I also think the type of coach now matters. The guy I fired worked better with power pitchers. My starters especially are not power guys. They aren't exactly soft tossing finesse guys either, so I hired a guy who is was "neutral".

I like that the decision who to hire is a bit more complex than before.

02-09-2017, 11:14 AM	#1
Curve Ball Dave Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,386	Coaches Matter It was mid June, my team was in last place primarily because my talented pitching staff was underachieving-again. My starters had the worst ERA in the league and while the bullpen was better, it wasn't enough as we were last in runs in allowed. So I fired my pitching coach. I signed a guy with a "Good" reputation. We went on a tear and long story short jumped to second place. We've been there all summer and in early September are only a couple games out of first. The starters' ERA has plummeted, and the bullpen is lights out. Coaches matter. Never think they don't. __________________ "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing"-Warren Spahn.

02-09-2017, 12:27 PM	#2
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 11,741	Remember when they announced 17, they talked about the "Smarter, more cunning AI"? I am convinced, on empirical evidence, that coaching was a big part of that improvement. What I mean is, I believe they increased the effect of coaching on results while at the same time giving the AI a better look "behind the scenes" than you have unless you go into the editor and look at ratings. And that is (intentionally?) cumbersome because you need to look at each coach one at a time, no scrolling through a list. That's my theory. __________________ - Bru

02-09-2017, 12:53 PM	#3
Curve Ball Dave Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,386	I also think the type of coach now matters. The guy I fired worked better with power pitchers. My starters especially are not power guys. They aren't exactly soft tossing finesse guys either, so I hired a guy who is was "neutral". I like that the decision who to hire is a bit more complex than before. __________________ "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing"-Warren Spahn.