Defensive ratings and their effect...

King Carlos · 06-13-2002, 01:37 AM

I drafted my solo fictional league team with an emphasis on patience, contact, and defense. Every one of my outfielders has an "A" range, sometimes at the expense of talent with the lumber. My infield D shakes down as follows...

3B "B"
SS "A"
2B "B"
1B "C"
C "A"

Now you must be thinking that I probably have one of the best defensive units in the game, right? Wrong! For 2 of my 3 seasons, my team was a middle-of-the-pack team fielding percentage-wise, and in my most recently completed campaign, I finished dead last!

I really think the problem stems from the fact that the difference between "good" & "bad" defensive players is far too small in the game. I manage about 75% of my games and I honestly don't see much difference on the field. I've seen "D" rated fielders get to just as many balls and make just as many good players as "A" rated fielders. I've also seen "A" rated fielders not getting to balls that lesser fielders seemed to be taking in like vacuums.

Anyway, I don't know if I'm the only one with this problem, but hopefully someone else is sharing my grief.

BTW, I play with scouts/coaches OFF.

John · 06-13-2002, 01:46 AM

I'm no way an expert since I haven't played the game for very long, but I believe there are 2 factors to consider. The "letter" grade is the guys range... or how many balls will he get to to even make a play... the other factor is his fielding percentage... or how successful will he be in making the play... having a lot of guys with A range, but mid to low fielding percentages could be driving your overall defensive results (in terms of ranking) down. BUT... if a guy makes an error on a ball that no one else would have gotten to anyways (i.e. a hit) how much worse off are you? Next time maybe he makes the play and you're ahead in the scheme of things.

blmeanie · 06-13-2002, 03:51 AM

I believe John is correct that the fielding % actually will have a bigger impact on errors. Try to find B's and A's with high fielding %'s and then you would likely see your team fielding improve.

GForce22 · 06-13-2002, 06:28 AM

yeah, there are lots of guys with good range who makes lots of errors (Soriano), and there are guys with little range who catch everything (Cal Ripken).

GH

Scott Vibert · 06-13-2002, 06:34 AM

Actually some would argue that defense is too much of a factor in this game... as mentioned make sure you have solid fielding percentages, if you don't then the range won't help things too much.

Biggie Fries · 06-13-2002, 06:49 AM

My experience (far more limited) has also been that defense is very important, especially in the sense of having fielders with great range. I have managed to be very competitive with middle of the road pitchers: If your staff does not give up too many HRs and BBs, then your defensive range will help you keep ERAs lower. That is where you see the effect, not in fielding percentage.

VladGuerrero4MVP · 06-13-2002, 08:17 AM

Here's what it is..... Range has nothing to do with errors as all of the guys said, it simply means how many more balls they can get a glove on. Example: A player with a D range would not be able to get certain up the middle balls that shortstops have. Range basically means, how good are they at stopping ground ball hits through the infield and how good they are at covering ground in the outfield. Fielding % is the key, as thats what decides how effectively they can complete plays

<small>[ 06-13-2002, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: VladGuerrero4MVP ]</small>

dasperp · 06-13-2002, 08:41 AM

I'd like to see what would happen if you constructed a team of all average, serious groundball pitchers and gave them a spectacular infield defense. I'm sure their ERA's would be moderately low.

06-13-2002, 01:37 AM	#1
King Carlos Bat Boy Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 8	Defensive ratings and their effect... I drafted my solo fictional league team with an emphasis on patience, contact, and defense. Every one of my outfielders has an "A" range, sometimes at the expense of talent with the lumber. My infield D shakes down as follows... 3B "B" SS "A" 2B "B" 1B "C" C "A" Now you must be thinking that I probably have one of the best defensive units in the game, right? Wrong! For 2 of my 3 seasons, my team was a middle-of-the-pack team fielding percentage-wise, and in my most recently completed campaign, I finished dead last! I really think the problem stems from the fact that the difference between "good" & "bad" defensive players is far too small in the game. I manage about 75% of my games and I honestly don't see much difference on the field. I've seen "D" rated fielders get to just as many balls and make just as many good players as "A" rated fielders. I've also seen "A" rated fielders not getting to balls that lesser fielders seemed to be taking in like vacuums. Anyway, I don't know if I'm the only one with this problem, but hopefully someone else is sharing my grief. BTW, I play with scouts/coaches OFF.

06-13-2002, 03:51 AM	#3
blmeanie All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,044	I believe John is correct that the fielding % actually will have a bigger impact on errors. Try to find B's and A's with high fielding %'s and then you would likely see your team fielding improve. __________________ blmeanie email me at blmeanie Above link works for some email client programs but not all, email me at blmeanie33@earthlink.net

06-13-2002, 01:46 AM	#2
John Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 186	I'm no way an expert since I haven't played the game for very long, but I believe there are 2 factors to consider. The "letter" grade is the guys range... or how many balls will he get to to even make a play... the other factor is his fielding percentage... or how successful will he be in making the play... having a lot of guys with A range, but mid to low fielding percentages could be driving your overall defensive results (in terms of ranking) down. BUT... if a guy makes an error on a ball that no one else would have gotten to anyways (i.e. a hit) how much worse off are you? Next time maybe he makes the play and you're ahead in the scheme of things.

06-13-2002, 06:28 AM	#4
GForce22 Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,654	yeah, there are lots of guys with good range who makes lots of errors (Soriano), and there are guys with little range who catch everything (Cal Ripken). GH

06-13-2002, 06:34 AM	#5
Scott Vibert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: My Computer Posts: 8,209	Actually some would argue that defense is too much of a factor in this game... as mentioned make sure you have solid fielding percentages, if you don't then the range won't help things too much.

06-13-2002, 06:49 AM	#6
Biggie Fries Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bryn Mawr, PA USA Posts: 115	My experience (far more limited) has also been that defense is very important, especially in the sense of having fielders with great range. I have managed to be very competitive with middle of the road pitchers: If your staff does not give up too many HRs and BBs, then your defensive range will help you keep ERAs lower. That is where you see the effect, not in fielding percentage.

06-13-2002, 08:17 AM	#7
VladGuerrero4MVP Minors (Single A) Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 54	Here's what it is..... Range has nothing to do with errors as all of the guys said, it simply means how many more balls they can get a glove on. Example: A player with a D range would not be able to get certain up the middle balls that shortstops have. Range basically means, how good are they at stopping ground ball hits through the infield and how good they are at covering ground in the outfield. Fielding % is the key, as thats what decides how effectively they can complete plays <small>[ 06-13-2002, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: VladGuerrero4MVP ]</small>

06-13-2002, 08:41 AM	#8
dasperp Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 61	I'd like to see what would happen if you constructed a team of all average, serious groundball pitchers and gave them a spectacular infield defense. I'm sure their ERA's would be moderately low.