The importance of fielding range. Topic

 My last season:  2nd in wins(100), last (24th) in plus plays, with the most minus plays.   My current season:  1st in wins (100 and counting) last (24th) in plus plays, next to the most (23rd) in minus plays, by my position players.  In other words, my players are winning while virtually lying down with their gloves in the air.  Is range over priced?  or is this simply a case of giving in one area to get something in another. And less importantly, does anyone remember the King and his Court?  He was an unbelievable softball pitcher who played with virtually no fielders.

2/27/2012 9:22 AM
In my analysis, one needs to be much more careful with fielding grade than range.  Honus Wagner can kill ya with errors for example.  However, when you look at the sim stats, it also lists range factor, which seems also to be weighted toward the better range fielder, despite not many plus or minus plays.  So, although overall I discount range factor, you want to smart about it in terms of which positions you want to have good or bad range.
2/27/2012 10:14 AM
There was a guy that was stacking up Championships in OL's using D/A or D/A+ type players. with high avg#.  Not that you asked, but I have always thought HR's were way over priced.
2/27/2012 10:35 AM
Eddie Feiner.... the king and his Court.... Pitcher, catcher, first baseman, shortstop.  He was amazing.  he used to pitch an inning blindfolded and another from 2nd base.  When I was a kid in the 60's, our summer camp used to go see them play every year in Haverhill, MA!
2/27/2012 10:58 AM
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Posted by Bilfert on 2/27/2012 10:35:00 AM (view original):
There was a guy that was stacking up Championships in OL's using D/A or D/A+ type players. with high avg#.  Not that you asked, but I have always thought HR's were way over priced.

D/A, D/A+ is interesting as a direct inverse to A/D, A/D- and a good issue to bring up because taking comparable players that reciprocate like this would answer the question. On face value, I think the former cost more but I'm asking the question because I haven't done an analysis.  In my opinion, homeruns are priced ok if your goal is to get to the playoffs because against bad teams, you beat them more easily, but you pay drastically in the playoffs when they don't happen as frequently. So you have a weaker playoff team, but you get there more often. 

2/27/2012 2:03 PM
Posted by steve9955 on 2/27/2012 10:58:00 AM (view original):
Eddie Feiner.... the king and his Court.... Pitcher, catcher, first baseman, shortstop.  He was amazing.  he used to pitch an inning blindfolded and another from 2nd base.  When I was a kid in the 60's, our summer camp used to go see them play every year in Haverhill, MA!
Thanks steve9955 for remembering this. I couldn't find anyone that does.  I can remember as a kid he would put on exhibitions before games and between games of doubleheaders and  even professional players couldn't hit what should have looked like a beach ball to them.  The guy was amazing.  I can remember a couple of Phillies taking a whack at him and embarrassingly walking away. Troy, harrelson, thanks for your input.
2/27/2012 2:14 PM
I agree with Mixtroy.  D is overrated.  I try to go with a good fielding ss, cf and A+ arm at c but the rest of the field is filled with good hitters regardless of their D.

I faced Eddie Feiner three times, struck twice (never got the bat off my shoulder) and hit a dink sinle over the 1b head.  He was awesome and a great guy.  His fielders were top notch players but he barely needed them with the way he pitched.
2/27/2012 7:06 PM
 I think crappy D- range feilders are over rated.
2/27/2012 11:46 PM
Posted by crimsonblue on 2/27/2012 2:14:00 PM (view original):
Posted by steve9955 on 2/27/2012 10:58:00 AM (view original):
Eddie Feiner.... the king and his Court.... Pitcher, catcher, first baseman, shortstop.  He was amazing.  he used to pitch an inning blindfolded and another from 2nd base.  When I was a kid in the 60's, our summer camp used to go see them play every year in Haverhill, MA!
Thanks steve9955 for remembering this. I couldn't find anyone that does.  I can remember as a kid he would put on exhibitions before games and between games of doubleheaders and  even professional players couldn't hit what should have looked like a beach ball to them.  The guy was amazing.  I can remember a couple of Phillies taking a whack at him and embarrassingly walking away. Troy, harrelson, thanks for your input.
I looked him up on youtube.  Some nice clips posted there from over the years.  Here's one from 1959:

www.youtube.com/watch

Money quote from the narrator at 3:04, on Feigner pitching blind-folded: "If he's not an inspiration to people afflicted with eye trouble, then I don't know WHO is!"
2/28/2012 12:42 AM
Posted by redsox1966 on 2/27/2012 7:06:00 PM (view original):
I agree with Mixtroy.  D is overrated.  I try to go with a good fielding ss, cf and A+ arm at c but the rest of the field is filled with good hitters regardless of their D.

I faced Eddie Feiner three times, struck twice (never got the bat off my shoulder) and hit a dink sinle over the 1b head.  He was awesome and a great guy.  His fielders were top notch players but he barely needed them with the way he pitched.

Redsox, I'd add 2B to your fielding choices, but I'd have no problem with what you're doing.  If you made contact off of Feiner, you're in rare company. Good Job. I'd guess more people have made contact off of Nolan Ryan.  Now if you could just give me that ball, I'd like to put it on Ebay.

2/28/2012 12:51 AM
Thanks for the heads up on that video Stengel, Priceless.  It was so long ago I didn't think it would be on youtube.  That begs the question, can someone pitch underhanded in MLB? And have they ever? He'd be a great "change of pace" closer. lol.
2/28/2012 1:11 AM
Posted by crimsonblue on 2/28/2012 1:11:00 AM (view original):
Thanks for the heads up on that video Stengel, Priceless.  It was so long ago I didn't think it would be on youtube.  That begs the question, can someone pitch underhanded in MLB? And have they ever? He'd be a great "change of pace" closer. lol.
Windmill windups are not allowed in baseball. Obviously there have been many pitchers that throw underhand. Quisenberry and Eckersly are the most notable. While underhanders generally don't throw as hard, the ball doesn't have to travel as far as for an overhander. The result is that the pitch seems just as fast.
2/28/2012 12:25 PM
Posted by crimsonblue on 2/28/2012 1:11:00 AM (view original):
Thanks for the heads up on that video Stengel, Priceless.  It was so long ago I didn't think it would be on youtube.  That begs the question, can someone pitch underhanded in MLB? And have they ever? He'd be a great "change of pace" closer. lol.
Windmill windups are not allowed in baseball. Obviously there have been many pitchers that throw underhand. Quisenberry and Eckersly are the most notable. While underhanders generally don't throw as hard, the ball doesn't have to travel as far as for an overhander. The result is that the pitch seems just as fast.
2/28/2012 12:25 PM

Good names zubinsum. I'd add Kent Tekulve to that list of notable players.  When someone masters the eephus pitch or something behind the back, just like Bill Veeck's, Eddie Gaedel baseball will view it as making a mockery of the game.

2/28/2012 2:33 PM
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