The challenge a relief pitcher faces in preventing inherited runners from scoring changes based on two factors:
- The base(s) that the inherited runner(s) occupy when the reliever enters the game
- The number of outs there are when the reliever enters the game
Accordingly, calculating R.R.A.® requires the use of base factors as well as out factors. Because a higher R.R.A.® reflects lesser ability, the value of the factors are lower for more difficult pitching situations and higher for less difficult pitching situations. The factors are as follows:
If an inherited base runner scores from....
- 1st base, his factor is 2.54
- 2nd base, his factor is 1.48
- 3rd base, his factor is 1.00
These factors are based on decades of historical data that reflect the difficulty of holding those inherited runners on base. Preventing an inherited runner at 3rd base from scoring is 1.48 times more difficult than preventing an inherited runner at 2nd base from scoring, and 2.54 times as difficult as preventing an inherited runner at 3rd base from scoring. A pitcher is penalized more harshly for allowing an inherited runner to travel greater distance to score. These conclusions are based upon thousands of innings of data.
If the reliever enters with...
- 0 outs, the out factor is 2
- 1 outs, the out factor is 3
- 2 outs, the out factor is 6
These out factors are chosen because base runners have more opportunities to score when there are fewer outs. When there are no outs, base runners have 1.5 times as many outs in which to score than if there is one out and 3 times as many outs to score than if there are two outs. The out factors are based on this numerical scale. There are fewer opportunities to score when there are fewer outs remaining. Therefore, a pitcher that allows inherited runners to score is penalized more harshly when he enters the inning with fewer outs.
Click here to learn how these factors are used to calculate R.R.A.® |
