Charting pitches?

[jbm]

Every minor league game I go to, I always see one or two people (young guys and presumably not scouts) in the stands behind home plate charting the pitches.

Is this usually the next day pitcher, yesterday’s pitcher, or someone else?

How detailed are they in charting pitches?  Are they simply recording pitching data, or making notes on their opinion on how to approach hitters, or observations about the pitcher?

Is this data the “official” data for the team, or simply a task to get them thinking and learning about pitching?

Any info on why the club has them do this would be appreciated.

[Jacksonian]

Every minor league game I go to, I always see one or two people (young guys and presumably not scouts) in the stands behind home plate charting the pitches.

Is this usually the next day pitcher, yesterday’s pitcher, or someone else?

How detailed are they in charting pitches?  Are they simply recording pitching data, or making notes on their opinion on how to approach hitters, or observations about the pitcher?

Is this data the “official” data for the team, or simply a task to get them thinking and learning about pitching?

Any info on why the club has them do this would be appreciated.

I've seen 2 at a time working the chart.  They record as many details as possible including mph.  They don't write their opinion though.  At least not that I've seen.  They do this to learn to be better pitchers and to help the team.  I can't think of a reason not to do it.

[JimR]

Every minor league game I go to, I always see one or two people (young guys and presumably not scouts) in the stands behind home plate charting the pitches.

Is this usually the next day pitcher, yesterday’s pitcher, or someone else?

How detailed are they in charting pitches?  Are they simply recording pitching data, or making notes on their opinion on how to approach hitters, or observations about the pitcher?

Is this data the “official” data for the team, or simply a task to get them thinking and learning about pitching?

Any info on why the club has them do this would be appreciated.

i imagine that every team in professional baseball does this.

[jbm]

I can't think of a reason not to do it.

 

I wasn't implying anything about the task, just curious about it's intent.

[JimR]

 

I wasn't implying anything about the task, just curious about it's intent.

helps the pitching coach and the pitchers

[loganck]

i imagine that every team in professional baseball does this.

College too, probably.  I sat behind Kenn Kasparek early this past season while he and a teammate charted.  The blackberry looking thing they used looked pretty cool.

[Duman]

Greeneville has 3 pitchers in the stands during the game.  One is charting pitches- usually next day starter so that he can see what batters do with what pitches. One is recording velocity with a radar gun.  Third is video taping specific batters.  This job requires you to go from one side of the stands to the other depending on batter handedness.

[Mr. Happy]

I used to do this. It really depends. We used to have one person manning the radar gun and signaling speed of our pitchers back into the dugout after every pitch. One person would chart the opposing pitcher's use of specific pitches on each count and the pith count of our pitchers during the other half inning. Often, one person would chart each of your team's pitcher's pitchers, but we didn't do that because the coach called every pitch. Lord help you if you shook him off and something bad happened-would often draw a mound visit.

[jbm]

Thanks for the clarifications. 

Mr. Happy mentioned the coach calling the game.  That brings me to another question, does anyone know if that is the norm, or the exception for the Astros minor league clubs, or does it simply vary by level, catcher, or pitcher?

I watched Towles in a recent Hooks game.  I was under the impression that the only time he looked for a signal from the dugout was for defensive calls when runners were on. 

[Duman]

In Greeneville, it looks like every pitch is called.

[Mr. Happy]

Thanks for the clarifications. 

Mr. Happy mentioned the coach calling the game.  That brings me to another question, does anyone know if that is the norm, or the exception for the Astros minor league clubs, or does it simply vary by level, catcher, or pitcher?

I watched Towles in a recent Hooks game.  I was under the impression that the only time he looked for a signal from the dugout was for defensive calls when runners were on. 

In my experience, the coach signals the catcher, who then relays the pitch to the pitcher.