Hate to ask this if it's been covered

by hcoguy on Aug 18, 2007 11:49 PM PDT

So... has anyone ever studied home effects historically? Why is it that teams typically win more at home, specifically good teams. I understand the idea of building a roster of guys conducive to one's home park but the M's offense at least, is counterproductive to that end and is still succeeding at an impressive rate at home. If you don't buy arguments for clutchiness, momentum, or grittiness, is there any logical explanation for home success? DMZ's published writings on groundskeeping come to mind but surely there is more to it than that...

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You become familiar with your home park

and its quirks, which gives you an advantage over the visitors.

by Gomez on Aug 18, 2007 11:51 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah

I kind of cringe every time I hear the Cub's announcers talk about new players dealing with the winds, but it just seems to run counter to the sabermetric viewpoint. Especially when Joe Morgan talks about Jose Castillo's newness to the N.L............ FMJ.com rocks. I watch sunday night games with music playing.

If that premise is accepted, than players should perform better the second year they are at a new park or at least the second half of the first year. I'm kind of hoping to find a detailed statistical study to satisfy by drunk, curious questions.

by hcoguy on Aug 18, 2007 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions

my drunk, curious questions

freudian slip? possibly.

by hcoguy on Aug 18, 2007 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions

aka "The Old Boston Garden Effect"

Horacio Ramirez is God's gift to whoever the Mariners happen to be playing.

by SethGrandpa on Aug 19, 2007 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Support from the home crowd

has a small effect.

by Mariner John on Aug 19, 2007 12:22 AM PDT reply actions

i heard something from someone...

i can't remember who it was, but it was on Bob Valvano's show on ESPN Radio who was talking about true contenders are right around .500 on the road. He mentioned the mariner's positively, but i wan't listening too closely because i wasn't expecting it.

Hey, Lopez! I know you're in there Lopez! LOPEZ!

by Patrick517 on Aug 19, 2007 8:58 AM PDT reply actions

that was the wrong tag-line....

made it seem lie i'm some kind of sleuth...
sorry.

Hey, Lopez! I know you're in there Lopez! LOPEZ!

by Patrick517 on Aug 19, 2007 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Good point for Bob to mention

as generally, yes, the top playoff contenders in any pro sport are no less than near .500 on the road, and of course do a good job of holding serve at home.

Indeed, the Mariners are .500 on the road (28-28), and of course well over .500 at home (40-24).

by Gomez on Aug 19, 2007 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Historical Home Field Advantage = 53.5%

i.e. the home team wins 53.5% of the time. THE BOOK blog

Factors Home Field Advantage.

Bottom of the 9th, 10th, etc. -- Probably the most important factor. Imagine two games. In one, the home team's starter pitches a shutout until the ninth when he gives up one run. His team then goes to bat down 1-0 (their WPA is roughly 20% going into the bottom of the 9th). In the other game, the away team starter pitches a shutout until the bottom of the ninth when he gives up one run. His team loses.
"Stadium Familiarity" -- Playing balls of the Green Monster, etc.
Ballclubs "tailored" to their ballparks. -- Jarrod Washburn+Safeco, etc.

by Trev on Aug 19, 2007 2:28 PM PDT reply actions