From: drw3l@delmarva.evsc.Virginia.EDU (David Robert Walker)
Subject: Minor League Park Factors
Followup-To: drw3l@delmarva.evsc.virginia.edu
Organization: University of Virginia
Distribution: na
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 03:20:55 GMT

Here once again are the minor league park factors. This post shows AA
factors, which I haven't posted before, and a revised copy for AAA,
due to some mathematical errors I found in the first post. In
addition, I have altered the formula to take into account the
unbalanced schedules most minor leagues have (most extreme in the
Texas League, where you play 3 teams 13 times each, and the other 4
teams 5 times each, both home and away.)

Formula: A=(RS+RA, home)/home G for each team combination
         B=(RS+RA, away)/away G for each combination
         X=sum of A-scores for each team / sum of B-scores
         N=number of teams in league
         PF= (X + (N-X)/(N-1))/2

What this means: the A-score of Buf/Ind/Iowa etc at Denver, divided by
the B-scores (Denver at Buf/Ind/Iowa etc.) Each park comparison is
weighted equally, and not according to the number of games played at
that park. If schedules are balanced, it is equal to the usual method.
Criticism of this method is welcome; I *think* it is a better measure,
but I haven't convinced myself yet.

1.0 is neutral; 1.04 is noticeably batter-oriented; 1.08 is extreme.
Pitcher's parks are noticeable at .96, extreme at .92.
Note that this is relative to other parks in the league!!! If Denver
moved to the PCL, it would probably score about 1.05, because of the
other high-altitude parks (Calgary, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque,
Edmonton) in that league.

American Association

Denver     1.175   Milwaukee
Oklahoma   1.033   Texas
Nashville   .993   Cincinnati
Iowa        .985   Chicago Cubs
Louisville  .971   St. Louis
Indianapolis.954   Montreal
Omaha       .962   Kansas City
Buffalo     .942   Pittsburgh

International League

Scranton    1.093  Philadelphia
Pawtucket   1.032  Boston
Richmond    1.013  Atlanta
Rochester    .989  Baltimore
Toledo       .991  Detroit
Columbus     .979  NY Yankees
Tidewater    .961  NY Mets
Syracuse     .967  Toronto

Syracuse is a surprise; I was under the impression they usually acted
as a hitters park. (In my first post I had a typo and said pitchers
there)

Pacific Coast League

Calgary     1.132  Seattle
Las Vegas   1.082  San Diego
Albuquerque 1.107  Los Angeles
Colorado Sp 1.047  Cleveland
Edmonton    1.033  California
Tucson      1.001  Houston
Phoenix      .932  San Francisco
Vancouver    .895  Chicago WS
Tacoma       .900  Oakland
Portland     .889  Minnesota

The PCL has a clear dichotomy between high parks (Albuquerque,
Colorado Springs, Calgary, and Edmonton; each over 2500 ft) and low
parks (Tacoma, Portland, Vancouver, under 500 ft). Vegas and the
Arizona parks are in between (but I think Phoenix' park was only ~600
ft)

AA Parks

Eastern League

Albany        .883  Yankees
Binghamton    .981  Mets
Canton-Akron 1.017  Indians
Hagerstown   1.110  Orioles
Harrisburg    .975  Expos
London       1.108  Tigers
New Britain   .917  Red Sox
Reading      1.044  Phillies

Southern League

Birmingham    .897  White Sox
Carolina     1.013  Pirates
Charlotte    1.050  Cubs
Chattanooga  1.012  Reds
Greenville   1.006  Braves
Huntsville    .975  A's
Jacksonville 1.029  Mariners
Knoxville    1.000  Blue Jays
Memphis       .956  Royals
Orlando      1.072  Twins

Texas League

Arkansas     1.097  Cardinals
El Paso      1.142  Brewers
Jackson       .944  Astros
Midland       .992  Angels
San Antonio   .934  Dodgers
Shreveport    .948  Giants
Tulsa         .978  Rangers
Wichita      1.012  Padres

Comments are welcome, and anyone with any past data with which these
can be compared is especially welcome. Oh, wait, I wanted to post by
team as well.
'92           AAA        AA
Orioles      .989       1.110
Red Sox     1.032        .917
Indians     1.047       1.017
Tigers       .991       1.108
Yankees      .979        .883
Brewers     1.175       1.142    **note double hitters parks
Blue Jays    .967       1.000

Angels      1.033        .992
White Sox    .895        .897    **two pitchers parks
Royals       .962        .956
Twins        .889       1.072
A's          .900        .975
Mariners    1.132       1.029
Rangers     1.033        .978

Cubs         .985       1.050
Expos        .954        .975
Mets         .961        .981
Pirates      .942       1.013
Phillies    1.093       1.044
Cardinals    .971       1.097

Braves      1.013       1.006
Reds         .993       1.012
Astros      1.001        .944
Dodgers     1.107        .934  **note disparity
Padres      1.082       1.012
Giants       .932        .948

Clay D.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.baseball