I have no scientific proof (although I would love to see the number crunchers thoughts on this one), but I would assume going in that the errors would outweigh the effect of the plus plays.......too many prolonged innings making too many more pitches needed to be thrown........snowball effect on stamina leading to more chances, etc., etc........

Posted by wonker on 7/21/2010 6:48:00 PM (view original):
I have no scientific proof (although I would love to see the number crunchers thoughts on this one), but I would assume going in that the errors would outweigh the effect of the plus plays.......too many prolonged innings making too many more pitches needed to be thrown........snowball effect on stamina leading to more chances, etc., etc........

I don't think there's any way to tell. With an error, you can see the damage done. But with a + play, you never see the potential damage the great inning-ending play made. You don't know if the next player would have struck out or started a 6-run, 2-out rally. I'd probably put similar weight into an error and a + play.

What's your starting rotation?

Along these same lines.....what is the difference between a (-) play and an error. How does a fielder get charged with a (-) play and not an error? Missing the cut off man and allowing a runner moving up? That one always baffled me.

A (-) play is not an error in the scorebook by any definition -- it is only used in WhatIfSports. (-) plays are the result of poor *range* changing an out into a hit (as in, a player not *getting* to a ball he should have). There is no official error to declare on this type of play, however.