from Amazon
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Spinning Beckett
Mike Fast, already a hero of mine looks at Josh Beckett’s starts, and presents the data similar to how I discussed it: in terms of spin axis, rotations per minute, and include the effect of gravity. That is, he presents the data in human terms, not physics terms.
Note that he uses spin direction of 0 degrees to show a pitch thrown with topspin (due South) and 180 degrees to show a pitch with backspin (due North). The 90 degrees is due East (away from a RH batter), and 270 degrees is due West (in on a RH batter). It would probably be better for Mike to switch the 0/180 designations to conform to N=0, S=180, for commonly used terms.
I am very pleased that Mike Fast has taken suggestions here and implemented them. We are lucky that all the ball tracking analysts are so forthcoming, accessible, and hardworking at this stuff. About 25 years ago, Bill James concluded one of his abstracts by saying “I can’t do this all alone”. It’s fanstastic to be in the midst of all you guys.