Eliminating errors and walks while producing more DP should be a goal in every park.

I think the argument they're having is where errors/walks will do the least damage.

pitcher's parks = low run environments...in low run environments, runs are more scarce and thus slightly more valuable than in higher run environments (hitter's parks)...therefore, events that lead to runs independently of the ballpark (walks, HBPs, and errors mainly) are slightly more detrimental to the pitching team in a pitcher's park than a hitter's park...so if you play in Burlington, you want high control pitchers and stellar defense...that is my understanding anyway

My first ever team was in Louisville before I knew anything about ballpark factors.. Now I tend to go with pitchers parks due to me being focused on a more Speed/Baserunning- Pitching approach opposing to heavy power. I think like others have said.. Pick what type park you want and build to it.

I also don't think pitchers parks are a definite low run environment.. I've been in Oakland in one of the worlds I'm in for several seasons and up until this most recent season we've put up a lot of runs.. It's all based on the offense you have.. If you have guys that have high on base percentage along with some great contact hitters you can put up runs anywhere.

Quote: Originally posted by tomhighway on 2/23/2010I also don't think pitchers parks are a definite low run environment.. I've been in Oakland in one of the worlds I'm in for several seasons and up until this most recent season we've put up a lot of runs.. It's all based on the offense you have.. If you have guys that have high on base percentage along with some great contact hitters you can put up runs anywhere.

Low run environment means it's harder to put up runs because of the relative scarcity of certain events. Of course you can put up runs in a pitchers park, but you'd surely put up more in a hitter's park.

Everything that has been said about walks, HBP, and errors being at more of a premium in pitchers parks is true and correct, imo. There is also a flip to this: Strikeouts. While BB/HBP/errors are baserunners that occur independent of park, Ks are outs you get independent of park. Thus, in a pitcher's park, where I've already built a good D and the park helps me on balls in play, I'm going to pay very little attention to Vel. In Coors, every out I can get that the park plays no factor in is precious, and I'm going to pay attention to Vel much more strongly. (In a neutral park I consider it a secondary factor).

Agreed on strikeouts. I wonder, though, whether strikeouts are calculated before or after out probability in HBD. I'd hope that it's before, but I haven't noticed much difference in OAV between high-strikeout pitchers and the rest of the pack.