Hello Jonny G. I don't have a TV myself. The funniest reaction I get to this truth is 'Oh...would you like one?'

I would like to add something to the discussion of fielding statistics. Not something that will revolutionize the study but something to that may add to our understanding of this part of the game. We know that when player X makes an error and two runs score, that X is granted goat horns and is given responsibility for those runs. But what if same player X makes a brilliant defensive play, what are the results. Two runs that didn't score? One? Has our Mister X saved the game with these +unearned runs?

I have long been a fan of baseball on the radio. And from long association have come to enjoy the way Tom Cheek calls a game. One of his trademarks is to say "put a star beside that one if your scoring at home." And I have long wondered what are the results of these *s. Granted they are subjective, but no more so than errors.

Some other questions that might be answered. Who on the Blue Jays saves the most runs with brilliant defence? Do these +unearned runs equal or outweigh -unearned runs? Does an immobile fielder have more *s because he must make more dives? Does someone with great range make more great plays because he is getting to more balls? What is the result of these plays by position? For example, while an average shortstop is bound to make more *s than an average first baseman, the result of the first baseman's play may prevent a double or triple, whereas the shortstop has stopped a single. We also have, over a 162 game schedule, a fair guage of the Jays fielders versus the average (more or less) American League fielder at different positions.

Why do I post this here? Well I think it is the same type of grassroot investigation that Tangotiger is talking about. Secondly I have no idea how to effect or measure it. Look I believe that the best fielders in Baseball are those that don't make you sit up and take notice. The ones that get a good jump and seemingly glide to the ball. But there are certain plays in Baseball which have a beauty all their own; a Barfield throw from right field to peg the runner at the plate, the same arm which makes an out on the runner going first to third, the double play that becomes a turning point in the game - fill in your own favorite here. But what are the effects of this beauty? In short, can it be measured?

Well enough about me and my musings. How are you?
jason

Thanks for putting up the link. I'm hoping that the results from this will bring us a step closer to evaluating fielding.