ballpark ratings and pitchers Topic

My new team plays in this ballpark, which I picked kind of at random when I didn't really know what I was doing.  

Dimensions: LF = 325, LCF = 415, CF = 400, RCF=405, RF=325
Effects: 1B = 0, 2B = -2, 3B = 0, HR LF = -4, HR RF = -4

So, I'm interpreting this as a pretty pitcher friendly park.  At least, until I looked at my team's outfield defense, which is filled with lumbering, aging power hitters.  With the deep gaps, it looks like I would have to have a very speedy defensive outfield, right?  

On top of that, my starting pitchers are pretty much fly ball pitchers.  With these park dimensions, it seems like those guys could do well in a ball park like that, right?  I could probably find value in flyball pitchers that would scare off other owners, right?

So, in the Rule 5 draft I'm targeting speedy outfielders and effective flyball pitchers.   Any suggestions or comments on that strategy? 
4/6/2011 1:28 PM

Dimensions do not matter.    Speed does not matter.   Range and the effects are what matter.

With a -4 HR, you can be less concerned with GB/FB ratio but I'd recommend on concentrating on good pitching and using that as some sort of tie-breaker.

4/6/2011 1:33 PM
I think people overthink ballpark factors.  First, you only play half your games at home.  Second, good players are good players and bad players are bad players.  Trying to match certain ratings to your ballpark is probably fine as a "all other things equal" tie-breaker between players, as mikeT23 suggests.  But don't overthink it.  Get good players.  Avoid bad players. Do this, you'll be fine.
4/6/2011 1:48 PM
Thanks for the replies.

Right, I guess I meant looking for high range for my outfielders.  Currently, the best outfielder I have has a range of 65, so basically, I don't have a CF. 

Now, in real life, this would seem to make a huge difference on how many balls get caught in the outfield.  I guess its true that I shouldn't over estimate its importance because fielding and range are important in any park, and they difference between parks probably doesn't make a bad player great or a great player bad.

But, as a matter of drafting philosophy, it seems to me to be a good thing to make sure I don't have a ton of bad range outfielders in my system.  
4/6/2011 2:07 PM
Since range and glove both make important marginal differences in the performance of players it wouldn't make sense to advise you to focus exclusively on one. But pay attention to the minimum requirements chart (from the General Manager page, click on the position and it will open a menu with that information, that you can use to set position eligibility.)

What you need for the best CF is high range and glove. For the best RF, arm and throwing accuracy count too. Etc. That will help you identify the best defensive positions for your OF's.
4/6/2011 3:03 PM
This game is one of inches not miles, so small advantages can make the difference between winning 85 wins and 90.  So it could be the difference between playoffs and not.  I think you should build your team around the characteristics of an "extreme" ballpark, which yours basically is even if it isnt the most extreme.  Certainly having better then average range outfielders is more important for you then if your ballpark was a homer park with +4 for homers.  Id think if you were comparing 2 outfielders whose only difference was range/glove and power, and their ratings where 10 better then average for range and glove but with only a 50 power and your other guy had 10 less then average range/glove but with 60 power Id def take the guy with the better range because 60 power in that park prolly wont hit many homers.  Youd prolly need power of at least 85 to hit a relatively decent amount of HRs.
4/6/2011 4:54 PM
That's OKC's stadium, which in terms of ballpark rating is the third most extreme run surpressing environment in HBD if i remember correctly. Don't let the 0 1B rating fool you. 85 power won't get you a consitent 40HR threat there, trust me i know.
4/6/2011 5:30 PM
Oops, you know what, you're right, that is OKC's stadium.  That was my team's former stadium.  Looks like I moved into a pretty similar stadium though, because now I'm in AT&T in SF.  Here are those stats.  The +3 for triples and deep RCF gap is what drew my attention.  

335 364 404 420 307 1 0 3 -3 -3
4/6/2011 5:36 PM
ballpark ratings and pitchers Topic

Search Criteria

Terms of Use Customer Support Privacy Statement

© 1999-2026 WhatIfSports.com, Inc. All rights reserved. WhatIfSports is a trademark of WhatIfSports.com, Inc. SimLeague, SimMatchup and iSimNow are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts, Inc. Used under license. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.