S.T.R.1.K.E. System Explained

By JUSTIN DEHMER
Special To Collegiate Baseball

MARTENSDALE, Iowa — I have always been very interested in the numbers behind baseball.

If you have read my other articles about QABs (Quality At-Bats), B.A.S.E.2., Quality Innings, A3P (After Three Pitches) and TPI (Team Process Index) in Collegiate Baseball, you probably have realized that my fascination lies within trying to measure the process for teams and to create systems that lead to winning ways.

I want to know what we must do to give ourselves the best chance on any given night.

S.T.R.1.K.E. is the next installment of Process Based Measurement within the 1-Pitch Warrior System.

S.T.R.1.K.E. is to a pitcher/defense what B.A.S.E.2. is to our offense. Again, we have talked about the significant impact the B.A.S.E.2. System can have on the outcome of the game if you get 3 of the 5 criterions.

What we wanted to do was develop something that was similar to that B.A.S.E.2. but for the other aspects of the game.

Even though I love B.A.S.E.2., it is one sided, all offense. We know that it takes more that just a great offense to win games.

What we (Coach Jon Fitzpatrick and I) came up with was a scoring system that is easy to remember for coaches as well as pitchers and players on defense.

Here is what the S.T.R.1.K.E. System stands for and how the scoring system works:

S = Shutdown Inning (+2)

T = Thirteen Pitches or Less (+1)

R = Retire First Batter of Inning (+1)

1 = 1, 2, 3 Inning (+1)

K = Strikeouts (+1 for each)

E = End the Inning (+1)

This is an actual scoring system instead of just a check off list like B.A.S.E.2.

Definitely a little more work for a coach, but well worth the feedback it provides to your team and starting pitcher.

Just to note, this is something that you could do with all pitchers during a game. But what we have found is it is best for the starter to determine if the pitcher had a Quality Start.

Let me explain why we decided on the six factors that make up STR1KE and why we awarded the point values that we did.

Before I get into each category individually let me say that these were chosen because we felt by doing these things defensively we would greatly increase our chances of winning.

We wanted to keep the list short. I have read things that some pitching coaches are trying to do and the list goes on and on.

I cannot remember more than a hand full of things and I am certain most players can’t either. If we can consistently have Shutdown Innings, Quality Innings, Retire the First Batter, have 1,2,3 Innings, Strike a few batters out and End the Inning once we get two outs, our starter will be giving us a great chance to win the game. In short, the process will dictate the outcome. Commit to doing these things well and improve your chances of a solid outcome.

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