Version 7.1

Changes and Additions Version 7.1

General

1. Stat splits for Negro League Players 1937-1938. Left/Right stats are partial, but we can use previously-developed NSB algorithms to model/project these to realistic full-season scenarios. Home/road stats for the Negro Leagues introduce a new challenge to our game because so many games were of the "barnstorming" type, i.e., games played at parks across the country where one side would be arbitrarily selected as the "home" team. For this reason, we have researched the primary site for a player's "home" games and the percentage of play at that venue. This allows us to make realistic park adjustments to player stats. This data is shown on the splits tabs in the database. Behind this seemingly small enhancement lies an ambitious set of new coding routines to determine ball park factors for the many, many parks where Negro League games were played. These factors will also be shown on the home split side of the database displays. As research unfolds, we will be able to apply factors for the years 1920 - 1936. The work is ongoin.
2. Home/Road displays have been reversed in the reports to display the addition of the primary home site in an appealing manner.
3. More stat totals for Negro League Players. Thanks to Retrosheet's work, we are able to add exhibition games, all-star games, and playoff games to the regular season games to produce a more rounded picture of performances. This now means that, unlike all other leagues, Negro League Players are not in "sealed" league universes. While this presents simulation challenges, we have decided that more data is better data for Negro League players since the data is sparse to begin with.
4. Improved G/F projections, SB/CS data for Negro League players.
5. Improved code for CS modeling when CS stats are missing resulting in what should be higher stolen base percentages for many old-time players.
6. More accurate debut dates for Negro League players resulting in debuts before 1920. This means that some of these players are now available in the dead ball era draft pools.
7. A "walk tax" for pitchers used in the earliest years of MLB (e.g. Tommy Bond) whose walk percentages fall beneath a reasonable threshold. After monitoring the performances of pitchers in those early years, we decided on this slight change in order to compensate for the fact that walks at that time were considered undesirable outcomes for batters, and "errors" of a sort for pitchers. Pitchers were expected to throw the ball such that batters could hit it. This philosophy gradually changed as the game matured. It's good to keep in mind also that prior to 1893 the mound was 55' from home plate, also affecting walks.
8. Improved player bios.
9. Various other minor improvements.