I just want to make sure I remember correctly that iVB measures how much higher a pitch is than would be expected. So you'd see Lugo's curveball as a negative number, right?
Not necessarily “higher.” Think about it like a pitch is being thrown in space. Zero gravity. If you threw a baseball with zero spin at all, it would be 0-0, bullseye on a pitch movement chart. Or, if it’s spinning like a bullet, same idea — it’s going to be center-center, which is why they call some sliders “bullet sliders” because there’s no induced break on the pitch.
But yes, you’re correct, curveballs are going to have a negative iVB because of the overspin on the pitch. Opposite of a fastball that has backspin and is “rising.”
Love these study halls! This one was great as I struggle to get my oldhead around iVB. Here's my question.... When we talk about a pitch having 58 or 60 inches of vertical break, is that being measured from the pitcher's release point to where the catcher receives it? Or is it something else that makes less sense...lol.
Fascinating look at this. I’ll be watching Bubic in person tonight so very timely.
Have a good time! I’ve never been to Camden but heard it’s a great park.
I just want to make sure I remember correctly that iVB measures how much higher a pitch is than would be expected. So you'd see Lugo's curveball as a negative number, right?
Not necessarily “higher.” Think about it like a pitch is being thrown in space. Zero gravity. If you threw a baseball with zero spin at all, it would be 0-0, bullseye on a pitch movement chart. Or, if it’s spinning like a bullet, same idea — it’s going to be center-center, which is why they call some sliders “bullet sliders” because there’s no induced break on the pitch.
But yes, you’re correct, curveballs are going to have a negative iVB because of the overspin on the pitch. Opposite of a fastball that has backspin and is “rising.”
Hope that all makes sense!
Love these study halls! This one was great as I struggle to get my oldhead around iVB. Here's my question.... When we talk about a pitch having 58 or 60 inches of vertical break, is that being measured from the pitcher's release point to where the catcher receives it? Or is it something else that makes less sense...lol.
Yeah, unless I'm mistaken, it's movement from the pitcher's hand/release to where it crosses the plate.