Objectively studying baseball...

by baseballkristin on Oct 28, 2008 3:22 PM EDT

Hi!

I’m Kristin, a University of Pennsylvania psychology student who recently read Moneyball and has designed an honors thesis in light of it. My thesis focuses on developing an objective scale to measure clutch performance in baseball, a frequently used descriptor but not something that has truly been quantified. To supplement this scale, I have also created an online survey about fans’ opinions of several baseball players. It would be great if some of you could help me out and take the survey! Here is some information:

What is "clutch"? What players are considered "clutch" performers? What players are "gritty" or have natural talent? Are these players also "clutch"? These frequently cited terms in the game of baseball have never been objectively studied, but I am trying to change that. I have created a survey asking about some Major League players’ characteristics and it would be great if some of you, being huge baseball fans, could fill it out! It should only take a maximum of 15 minutes. Also, I would love to hear any comments that you have about my survey! Thanks so much for all your help!

Here is the website for my survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=VUWValhJzb65tk1lZoMMEQ_3d_3d

Kristin

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You need more teams

And I personally would appreciate hearing what kind of analysis you intend to do with these statistics.

by kericr on Oct 28, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

If you haven't seen it already

Check out Tom Tango (important baseball researcher/consultant/blogger) on the “Great ”http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/with-the-game-on-the-line-i-want/" target="new">Clutch Project," which incorporates his own informal fan surveys. He’s worth contacting for more information. Very smart and influential.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 29, 2008 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

Link again

to his Hardball Times article…

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 29, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Fangraphs

also has a definition and equation for clutch at this link

We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue.
-Bob Dylan

by Royal Kingdom on Oct 29, 2008 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks!

Thanks! I have read the Tango article and I thought it was very interesting (I even used it in a grant that I was applying for!) I also plan on using the WPA statistic in my analyses. And when I was conceptualizing the definition of clutch I was definitely thinking in terms of what they described on this site. It was hard to put it into words but I may adopt this definition. Thank you again! I would love anymore suggestions as well!

by baseballkristin on Nov 3, 2008 2:55 PM EST reply actions