Power Pros Forum

I keep seeing people saying speed is an integral part of defense. I was just wondering, does anybody have any definitive proof of this? Before, I had always thought that a high fielding rating could make up for a poor speed rating. I've seen Eric Davis say that fielding only affects how close the player must be to the ball to pick it up, but I can't seem to find a difference. Also, in fielding practice, my catcher with 14 FLD and 4 SPD runs just about as fast as a baserunner with 15 SPD (and 15 FLD). Not any faster, but just as fast. I want to conduct an experiment to see if speed really does affect range in the field.

So basically, does anybody have specific proof/video/experiment/etc. of this?

That's a good idea. I'll do an experiment. I'll make two players equal in EVERYTHING except one with 1 speed and one with 15 speed and test it in practice mode.

1) and 3) I can tell clearly. 2) is questionable, I've never been able to tell a difference. But if FLD doesn't impact range in the field, then shouldn't a runner with 15 SPD clearly outrun a catcher with 4 SPD but 14 FLD? After all, my catcher doesn't even have maxed out FLD. On the bases, the runner with 15 spd does outrun the catcher. But why doesn't that happen in the field?

Here is what you need to do. Edit the SS and 2B on the same team. Give one player 4 SPD and 15 FLD. Give the other 15 SPD and 4 FLD. Give them equal ERES ratings and remove all defensive special abilities that apply to defense (Aggressive FLD, Barehand, Gold Glove, Consistency, etc). Do the same thing with the LF and RF. Edit the 3B and 1B to be equal, prefereably with low SPD and FLD ratings. Same with CF. Once you save, go into practice mode for defense.

What you will find is the infielder with the high FLD but low SPD rating will be able to field balls when reaction time is key, like hard-hit liners and grounders that only allow enough time for two or three steps. The faster player will have the advantage on slower groundballs hit deep in the hole, flares behind the infield, and other balls that require the infielder to cover a lot of ground. Also, try fielding routine grounders with your player as far from the ball as possible while still being able to make the play. The player with the high FLD rating can reach some balls that otherwise roll right by the player with the low FLD.

Same story for the OF's. The OF with the low FLD, high SPD gets a slower jump but he can cover more ground once he gets going. He also has to get closer to the ball (his circumference of reach) in order to make the catch compared to the OF with the high FLD rating.

Um, Eric, where did you get this information? Could you provide a link or something? I'll see if I can get the experiment done tonight.

I didn’t get it from anywhere – I ran my own tests when I was translating statistics to match the 1-15 scale, but I noticed #1 and #2 before then. #3 was a bit trickier because Throwing 2 & 4 also impact transfer time.