How to Read Pitch Strike Zone Data - Using Numbers and Px, Pz Variables to Determine Expected Calls
In this video, we discuss how we use px, pz, sz_bot, sz_top, RAD, MOE, and other variables to calculate the expected umpire call of every MLB pitch. Article: https://www.closecallsports.com/2022/...
Twitter: / closecallsports
Discord: / discord
Relevant video: The Truth About Baseball's Electronic Strike Zone (5/30/19), the history of technology for calling balls and strikes: • The Truth About Baseball's Electronic Stri...
In sum,
Horizontal location (px)
A pitch whose px value is greater than |0.91| is always a ball.
A pitch whose px value is between |0.75| and |0.91| falls in the margin of error.
A pitch whose px value is less than |0.75| may be called a strike, provided it also meets the requirements for the vertical location pz.
Vertical location (pz) - UPPER
A pitch whose pz value is greater than the batter's sz_top-plus-radius of a baseball (RAD)-plus-margin of error (MOE) is always a ball.
A pitch whose pz value is greater than the batter's sz_top-plus-RAD, but less than the top MOE falls in the margin of error.
A pitch whose pz value is greater than sz_top, but less than RAD and greater than RAD-minus-MOE falls within the margin of error.
A pitch whose pz value is greater than sz_top, but less than RAD and also less than RAD-minus-MOE may be called a strike, provided it also meets the requirements for horizontal location pz.
Vertical location (pz) - LOWER
A pitch whose pz value is less than the batter's sz_bot-minus-radius of a baseball (RAD)-minus-margin of error (MOE) is always a ball.
A pitch whose pz value is less than the batter's sz_bot-minus-RAD, but greater than the bot MOE falls in the margin of error.
A pitch whose pz value is less than sz_bot, but greater than RAD and less than RAD-plus-MOE falls within the margin of error.
A pitch whose pz value is less than sz_bot, but greater than RAD and also greater than RAD-plus-MOE may be called a strike, provided it also meets the requirements for horizontal location pz.
Vertical location (pz) - ALL
A pitch whose pz falls between sz_bot and sz_top may be called a strike, provided it also meets the requirements for horizontal location pz.
All aforementioned variables share the units of feet.