This is almost exactly like a MySQL database with the 2007-2009 data that can be sorted in a whole sort of ways. Joe Lefkowitz’s pitch f/x tool is highly recommended for those who don’t have a MySQL database and are good at working with Excel data. I believe it is still a work in progress.
A quick run down of the online pitch f/x tool’s:
Brooks Baseball: The best for extensive visual charts of individual games recorded under pitch f/x from 2007-present, including the World Baseball Classic and the Arizona Fall League. Allows for an Excel data download. It update up to the minute so you can follow it in-game which is very neat.
Texas Leaguers: Also a work in progress, it provides a few charts like called strikes, swings, and takes that can be sorted by pitch type, pitcher’s handedness, and even by date. It promises to be updated soon with the addition of 2007 and 2008 data, plus leaderboards, umpire data, spray charts, and pitch type correction.
Joe Lefkowitz’s: Basically a large Excel database that can be sorted in all sorts of ways prior to an Excel file download.
Fan Graphs: A simple pitch f/x tool that has the average velocity and movement for a pitcher’s pitch type. Plus a neat velocity chart over the past three seasons and a link to all the movement charts for each game.
Update: If you want to make your own pitch f/x database using MySQL, here is a couple of links that can help you with that (H/T vivaelpujols):
Mike Fast’s Method: A well done step by step plan on how to create a database using MySQL and Perl.
Mike Fast’s Method for a Mac: The same method except it has been for those using a Mac. I recommonded reading both if you are interested in creating one, with the comments being very useful for quick toubleshooting of common errors.
Jeff Zimmerman’s SQL Dump: I am not too familiar with this method, but the files contains all the data from 2007-2009.
And finally, a list of those who provide extensive pitch f/x analysis:
The work of retired Josh Kalk- Hardball Times (HBT)
John Walsh- HBT
Dave Allen- Baseball Analysts (BA), Fan Graphs
Harry Pavlidis- Cubs f/x, Beyond The Boxscore (BTB), HBT
Jeremy Greenhouse- BA, HBT
Max Marchi- HBT
Alan Nathan- Physics of Baseball
Mike Fast- Fastballs, HBT
Joe Sheehan- BA
Dan Fox- BP
Dan Turkenkopf- BTB
Jonathan Hale
Jeff Zimmerman- BTB
Nick Steiner- BTB, HBT, Driveline Mechanics
Eric Seidman- Baseball Prospectus
Steve Sommer- St.Louis Sports Scene
I am missing anyone?
*cough* me
RZ, thanks for pointing out the new tool. Very cool.
The Joe Sheehan who was at BA is different from the one at BP. You have a solid list, but you might also want to point people to Mike Fast’s pitchf/x library, even though it hasn’t been updated in a while.
Thanks for pointing that out. Mike Fast’s list is old but I think I got most of the current analysts.
I was going to create my own database to use, but it looks like I can put that off for the time being. Great tool created by Joe.
Thanks for this RZ.
You should also link to Mike’s database tutorial and the SQL dump one that Jeff Zimmerman provided. Even with the excellent Excel type database you just linked to, an SQL one really does have a lot more capabilities. For pitch f/x analysts, Steve Sommer of http://stlsportsscene.wordpress.com/ also does some good stuff.
Updated it.
Agree that a SQL database is less limited than Excel.
Hi, I’ve made a script to download the data through R. Check it out if interested. Now I need to learn how to make and use databases
Link here.
Here is a new PitchFx Analyzer Tool that I created. Export more functionality as it evolves:
http://pitchfxweb.timothyfisher.com/report_builder