Pitch Counts and On-Base Percentage

As promised, this is the first of a series of posts looking at various statistical categories.

As far as I can tell from the small numbers of seasons I have looked at it, the average American Legion pitcher will throw 15-16 pitches per inning. Here are the IP and pitches/inning for most of our staff:

Douglas...60...15.6
Allen...53...15.7
Hollowell...44 1/3...16.6
Wooten...21...19
Randolph...24 2/3...13.7
Rose...23...17


The most important indicator for the success of an inning is whether the leadoff batter reaches base. Studies at the MLB level have shown that a team will score on average three times as many runs when the leadoff batter does not make an out. To put it another way, you're better off having a slow leadoff batter with a good OBP than a fast one who who does a poor job of getting aboard. Here are the Post 11 numbers:

Edwards 422
Gourley 496
Wooten 429
Rose 342
Wright 419
Pilkington 349
Lancaster 459
Hollowell 400
Casey 444

Hill 308
Moye 338

Another study showed that, while the first inning was when the most runs were scored, the second inning was the lowest. Why? One theory is that a lot of thinking goes into constructing a successful first inning, and it ultimately backfires on a team.

A team goes 1-2-3 in the first inning abut a third of the time in MLB. The batter least likely to lead off the second is the third batter in the order. Furthermore, let's say the leadoff batter in the second inning is most likely to be the number five hitter. You definitely don't want someone who has power but is not good at getting on base.

Some of these thoughts are from an old Bill James Baseball Abstract. I might look up some newer studies on constructing a lineup to maximize run scoring potential.

How does the Wayne County lineup look according to this? You be the judge.

Tomorrow: Is this a team of poor base runners?