Rod’s Replay Insider #35: Using the Errors Chart

Using the Errors Chart, tabulating errors is simple.

After you tally up your batting stats, simply record errors, by individual on the Errors Chart. It only takes about 10 seconds and the information adds another dimension to your replay.

You can simply record total errors or, if you want to track more detailed data, you can track individual errors at each position they played. If you want to add some spice to the Errors Chart, you can also record catcher’s passed balls and outfielder assists.

Finally, you can record unusual fielding accomplishments by writing the information at the bottom of the sheet. Triple plays, two OF assists by a single player in a game, an unassisted double play all would qualify as unusual fielding accomplishments. Noting unusual fielding events adds depth to your replay and underscores the importance of defense for each team and individual player.

Follow this link to see the what a completed Errors Chart looks like. It recaps the fielding for the 1912 Philadelphia Phillies in a replay I completed in 2017.

The Errors Chart shows, at a glance, that SS Mickey Doolan recorded 30 errors. It also shows that RF Dode Paskert committed 33 errors (more on OF error rates later in the series). In red, in the lower right section, four of the Phillies lowlights are recorded, three games with five or more errors and a three-error game by Doolan on Aug. 5.

Generally speaking, right fielders have thrown out the most baserunners in every replay I have conducted. In the linked illustration, one has to recollect that RF Gavvy Cravath was not blessed with a great arm, which meant that baserunners more frequently ran on him, which, in turn gave him more opportunities to throw runners out. What the chart does not show is how many runners took advantage of Cravath’s weak arm.

Next: Tracking hitting streaks

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