Method of evaluating the performance of a relief pitcher in the late innings of a baseball game

• US 20030200054A1
• Filed: 04/23/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Paul Storch
• Original Assignee: Paul Storch
• Inventors: Storch, Paul
• Application Number:
  US10/128,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20030200054A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings

Abstract

A method of evaluating the performance of a relief pitcher in the late innings of a baseball game factors through data as to when a pitcher inherits at least one player on base. The following steps of the method are disclosed: first, establishing the number of runs R scored by such inherited players; second, establishing the number of batters B faced in such innings; and, finally, evaluating the save-run average “SRA” according to the formula: $\mathrm{SRA}=k\left(\frac{R}{B}\right),$

where k is a predetermined constant selected to scale the SRA to a desired magnitude.

Claims

1. A method of evaluating the performance of a relief pitcher in the late innings of a baseball game in which the pitcher inherits at least one player on base, the method comprising the steps of establishing the number of runs R scored by such inherited players;

establishing the number of batters B faced in such innings; and

evaluating the save-run average “

SRA”

, where;

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the runs R are modified or weighed by at least one factor reflecting a condition in the baseball game at the time that the relief pitcher is brought into the game.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the runs R are modified by a plurality of weighing factors.

4. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said factor is a function of the number of the inning.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein said factor increases for each subsequent inning.

6. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said factor is a function of the number of outs.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said factor increases as the game moves through the innings.

8. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said factor increases with the number of outs.

9. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said factor is a function of the base on which the inherited player is on.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein said factor decreases as the base number increases.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein a constant “

k”

is selected to provide an SRA in the range of 1-10.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said SRA is computed on the basis of a pitcher'"'"'s performance within at least a part of one season.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said SRA is compiled on a pitcher'"'"'s performance over a lifetime of pitching.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the SRA is compiled as follows:

15. An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a relief pitcher in the final innings of a baseball game in which the pitcher inherits at least one player on base, comprising:

means for establishing the number of runs R scored by such inherited player;

means for establishing the number of batters B faced in such innings; and

means for evaluating the save-run average “

SRA”

, where;

$\mathrm{SRA}=k<br><br>\left(\frac{R}{B}\right),$

and k is a predetermined constant selected to scale the SRA to a desired range of magnitudes.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said evaluation means comprises a computer programmed to perform the required computations when the number of runs (R) and number of batters faced (B) are entered.

17. An evaluation parameter for evaluating or comparing the performance or efficiency of a relief pitcher in the final innings of a baseball game in which the pitcher inherits at least one player on base, the parameter being defined as follows:

18. An evaluation parameter as defined in claim 17, wherein the SRA is compiled as follows:

19. An evaluation parameter as defined in claim 17, wherein k is selected to provide an SRA in the range of 1-10.

20. An evaluation parameter as defined in claim 17, wherein said SRA is computed on the basis of a pitcher'"'"'s performance within at least a part of one season.

21. An evaluation parameter as defined in claim 17, wherein said SRA is compiled on a pitcher'"'"'s performance over a lifetime of pitching.