Publishing Stats a Good Idea or Bad Idea?

[thunder_rolls]

Rose, with all due respect just because you happen to disagree with something does not make it incorrect. I use them as a teaching tool with my DD as well as the other girls on my team who express interest in learning. For you to say they are not a teaching tool is a bit obtuse in my opinion. Glad to know I wasted my time reading everyone else's opinions and feedback when you put an end to all of the speculation. thank you.

 

[coachjwb]

Some random thoughts on the subject based on things I've read ....

* It is not correct that all major conferences publish softball stats. In Northeast Ohio, I am not aware of any that do, though I have no doubt a few may. I know that none of the top 3-4 conferences in the Cleveland area that I followed did this.

* It is true that you need an unbiased and accurate scorekeeper, which can be difficult to find. Even if you do, my experience is that if you publish the stats, that at least half of the parents will still not believe they are unbiased and accurate. If it's a parent or relative or any of the players, they will not believe it no matter how good they are.

* If you issue stats to everyone with everyone's stats, it's not about political correctness exactly ... it's about losing the players (and their parents) who have the worst stats. Either you as a coach or the scorekeeper are going to be blamed.

 

[CARDS]

As others have stated the numbers need to be accurate to be worth anything. Today's apps collects data that we had to manufacture 10 years ago and in the hands of a good coach or parent a stat tool can be very useful.

A good coach looks inside and outside the numbers as they remain transparent to parents, players etc. This includes verifying the data.

I am not sure the stats as a whole creates competition. I was one that pushed for competition on the field.
Looking outside the numbers the lady that can make contact when needed to move a runner or have productive outs hits sub .250 but is a stud in the field at her position with the ability to "think" prior to the pitch can be more valuable than a .350 hitter that gives up runs to the opposing team.

IMO the coach has to be able to use the data to help grow their players and put ladies in a position to succeed and ultimately allowing the team to succeed. If they are doing this there generally are no issues with stat keeping public on sites like tomorrows pro, League site etc.

 

[Pacerdad57]

We just went over pitching stats after we got home from today's games. To my DD they are a valuable tool in looking back to verify how well she was hitting spots, what percentages she was hitting on strikes/first pitch strikes, where she needs to be more careful or aggressive.....we use these stats for pitching and hitting a lot to try to improve her game. She only needs to see her stats, the other girls stats are their business, not ours. When the coach needs them he has access, if a parent wants their kids stats they can get them and do what they want or need with them.
To me definitely a good learning tool for players.

 

[CARDS]

Some random thoughts on the subject based on things I've read ....

* It is not correct that all major conferences publish softball stats. In Northeast Ohio, I am not aware of any that do, though I have no doubt a few may. I know that none of the top 3-4 conferences in the Cleveland area that I followed did this.

* It is true that you need an unbiased and accurate scorekeeper, which can be difficult to find. Even if you do, my experience is that if you publish the stats, that at least half of the parents will still not believe they are unbiased and accurate. If it's a parent or relative or any of the players, they will not believe it no matter how good they are.

* If you issue stats to everyone with everyone's stats, it's not about political correctness exactly ... it's about losing the players (and their parents) who have the worst stats. Either you as a coach or the scorekeeper are going to be blamed.

I agree with this statement^^^^^^. The Northern Ohio schools as a whole are behind Southern and Central Ohio schools when it comes to HS sports league/school websites and video coverage.

Like Coach stated, just because the league has a conference website and publishes the numbers does not mean the numbers are anywhere close to accurate. Look at the (C-MAC in the cincy area).
I will say the GWOC, GMC, GGCL, in SW Ohio and a few other larger conferences does do a good job with posting accurate stats.

In the GMC we had two in the press box during games using the sid stat program (that is outdated but works). The stats were reconciled by "both teams" prior to posting.
Posting was the responsibility of the home team and trust me if you fall behind the other teams in the league will let you know...

The who you play factor also come into play when you talk stats. I know of many HS coaches/players/schools that circle the stat padding game. (Happens all over the state)...
Same thing happens in travel. I have seen ladies that had good stats but really never faced the top teams in state or nationally so, those numbers would be different and do not actually reflect ability vs. top tier competition.