Dumb question on Ballpark Factors

seasideda · 08-19-2021, 09:09 AM

On home runs overall under ballpark factors, does the lower the number mean harder to hit home runs and the higher the number easier. For example Griffith Stadium has a home run overall of .397 and Fenway (1940-1969) .902. So based on that it would be much easier to hit home runs at Fenway than Griffith??

Just so I understand, the base is 1.000 so if Fenway is .902 that is less than the normalizing park factors? I would think on average more hrs are hit at Fenway compared to other stadiums so why isn't fenway more than 1.000?

The reason I ask is I set up a complicated season using different teams from the '30s-40's and players like Williams has only hit 5 Hrs through 90 games. Not sure if its park factors from the different stadiums I am using, but hes not hitting hr's at home. So If I wanted to experiment with the park factors to create 20% more HRs how would I calculate that with the setting at .902? Thank You.

cbbl · 08-19-2021, 10:11 AM

I'll answer the first part of your question about Park Factors.

Yes, you've got it right. The lower the number, the less of that particular stat will occur in that park. It is, of course, just one consideration that impacts the results, but all else being equal less home runs will be hit in a park with a HR factor of .900 than will be hit in a park with a HR factor of 1.100.

I can't speak to where the OOTP developers pulled their park factors from, but I'm entirely confident it was a reliable source. Note also that park factors can change based on the actual baseball results and are also may be calculated differently by different services.

For example, the MLB Park Factors for 2021 on ESPN but Fenway at .929 (https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/parkf.../sort/HRFactor), whereas in 2004, it was .974 (https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/parkf.../sort/HRFactor) and in 2001 it was 1.011 (https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/parkf.../sort/HRFactor).

OOTP seems to "lock" factors based, I think, on some consideration of ballpark dimensions, which, on the surface makes a lot of sense, but is not exactly how factors are determined IRL.

As for why Wiliams isn't performing like you'd expect, there are a number of reasons that could be why, and I'll let other chime in on that (ratings, talent change randomness, etc.). Ballpark factors may be impacting it, but before I suggest changing them, I'd want to understand how Williams performs for others running leagues around the same time, looking for other factors specific to Williams that may be more impactful.

This is because if you change ballpark factors, it won't just affect Williams--it will affect every player who plays in that stadium.

BUT...yes, increasing the HR factor will produce more runs. There isn't a direct relationship between how much you change the factor and how many more of x stat occurs (i.e. upping HR factor by 20% will not necessarily increase HRs at the park by 20%). You'd have to run some tests to see (I often do this by making a copy of my league file, renaming it test, changing some things around, and simming the season to see the results).

The Game · 08-19-2021, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seasideda

On home runs overall under ballpark factors, does the lower the number mean harder to hit home runs and the higher the number easier. For example Griffith Stadium has a home run overall of .397 and Fenway (1940-1969) .902. So based on that it would be much easier to hit home runs at Fenway than Griffith??

Just so I understand, the base is 1.000 so if Fenway is .902 that is less than the normalizing park factors? I would think on average more hrs are hit at Fenway compared to other stadiums so why isn't fenway more than 1.000?

The reason I ask is I set up a complicated season using different teams from the '30s-40's and players like Williams has only hit 5 Hrs through 90 games. Not sure if its park factors from the different stadiums I am using, but hes not hitting hr's at home. So If I wanted to experiment with the park factors to create 20% more HRs how would I calculate that with the setting at .902? Thank You.

The higher the #, the more HR.

era factors in also. there were generally less HR in that time then say early 20's or the 90's. What year are you using as your base?

For my IBL league the top was McCovey at 39 HR. Granted he hit .414. I have a mix of modern, minor league and Wooden ballparks in this league with a base year of 1975. McCovey plays for Normal which has the factors of Corncrib stadium. i have several Frontier stadiums in this league along with West Side Park, South Side Park, South End Grounds and Polo Grounds.

Also which year did you import Williams from? He could get hot in the 2nd half.

Garlon · 08-19-2021, 12:36 PM

For historicals the ballparks were calculated specifically for how OOTP uses them. I think there is a problem with them updating though that Markus knows about but he may not have fixed yet though.

I suggest using the feature of setting all ballpark factors to 1.000 for your project.

08-19-2021, 09:09 AM	#1
seasideda Minors (Double A) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: new hampshire Posts: 131	Dumb question on Ballpark Factors On home runs overall under ballpark factors, does the lower the number mean harder to hit home runs and the higher the number easier. For example Griffith Stadium has a home run overall of .397 and Fenway (1940-1969) .902. So based on that it would be much easier to hit home runs at Fenway than Griffith?? Just so I understand, the base is 1.000 so if Fenway is .902 that is less than the normalizing park factors? I would think on average more hrs are hit at Fenway compared to other stadiums so why isn't fenway more than 1.000? The reason I ask is I set up a complicated season using different teams from the '30s-40's and players like Williams has only hit 5 Hrs through 90 games. Not sure if its park factors from the different stadiums I am using, but hes not hitting hr's at home. So If I wanted to experiment with the park factors to create 20% more HRs how would I calculate that with the setting at .902? Thank You.

08-19-2021, 10:11 AM	#2
cbbl All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,179	I'll answer the first part of your question about Park Factors. Yes, you've got it right. The lower the number, the less of that particular stat will occur in that park. It is, of course, just one consideration that impacts the results, but all else being equal less home runs will be hit in a park with a HR factor of .900 than will be hit in a park with a HR factor of 1.100. I can't speak to where the OOTP developers pulled their park factors from, but I'm entirely confident it was a reliable source. Note also that park factors can change based on the actual baseball results and are also may be calculated differently by different services. For example, the MLB Park Factors for 2021 on ESPN but Fenway at .929 (https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/parkf.../sort/HRFactor), whereas in 2004, it was .974 (https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/parkf.../sort/HRFactor) and in 2001 it was 1.011 (https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/parkf.../sort/HRFactor). OOTP seems to "lock" factors based, I think, on some consideration of ballpark dimensions, which, on the surface makes a lot of sense, but is not exactly how factors are determined IRL. As for why Wiliams isn't performing like you'd expect, there are a number of reasons that could be why, and I'll let other chime in on that (ratings, talent change randomness, etc.). Ballpark factors may be impacting it, but before I suggest changing them, I'd want to understand how Williams performs for others running leagues around the same time, looking for other factors specific to Williams that may be more impactful. This is because if you change ballpark factors, it won't just affect Williams--it will affect every player who plays in that stadium. BUT...yes, increasing the HR factor will produce more runs. There isn't a direct relationship between how much you change the factor and how many more of x stat occurs (i.e. upping HR factor by 20% will not necessarily increase HRs at the park by 20%). You'd have to run some tests to see (I often do this by making a copy of my league file, renaming it test, changing some things around, and simming the season to see the results). Last edited by cbbl; 08-19-2021 at 10:17 AM.

08-19-2021, 12:36 PM	#4
Garlon Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 4,286	For historicals the ballparks were calculated specifically for how OOTP uses them. I think there is a problem with them updating though that Markus knows about but he may not have fixed yet though. I suggest using the feature of setting all ballpark factors to 1.000 for your project.