Which sport...

[Dippers Donuts]

...best lends itself to statistical analysis?

For the sports I follow, I would nominate cricket first, then golf.

I could pore over cricket stats for hours, be it averages (batting/bowling), strike rates etc etc. Although I must say I far prefer analysing test stats than one day stats.

With golf, I also find it fascinating to analyse things like average driving distance, average putts etc. You can really pinpoint a players strengths and weaknesses looking a golf stats.

I can't say though that I am into analysing footy (aussie rules) in a big way. For me it's enough to know that player X was in my sides' best 3 or 4 players. I don't really to need to know how many possies he had. I enjoy talking footy, going over a match with friends etc, but the in depth stuff, no not really.

That's just me though.

 

[dennisismyhero]

American Football is HUGE on statistical analysis. They rate everything - yards per rush, total yards per team & player, defensive and offensive tackling & blocking. Some of the stats recorded are how many touchdowns a player scores in domed arenas compared to open fields!!

Baseball also have huge statistics to worry about ie batting averages, pitching averages etc etc.

 

[Mooster7]

I love statistics. I've always been a player of wargames, and statistics are a large part of that. I've even designed some wargames that were really good. The problem was, they were too complicated with the stats to be marketable.

Stats can also be misleading. I don't know for certain, but American Major League Baseball may be the most overly analyzed sport going. They look at a guy's batting average vs a left-handed pitcher, on Thursday in the home stadium with the temperature at 79 degrees F, the wind out of the West AND while he is currently rising from a slump at .220. No joke.

NFL stats can be misleading as well. A running back making a lot of yards probably has a good offensive line, and a good blocking Tight End. A good O line also gives the Quarterback more time to complete a pass and decreases the chances of an interception.

If a team is winning consistently, then you can bet it is the defense. So things such as tackles, sacks, hurries etc. will contribute to the scoreboard.

Total offensive yards are important but can be misleading if you don't compare it with something else. For instance, last year the KC Chiefs racked up enough yardage to get them to Melbourne and back. Very impressive, but then Trent Green dumps an INT in the end zone, and there is no score.

I'm only a 2 year "veteran" of the AFL so statistics have been very important for me in understanding the odds and play. I may not always be right, but you've got to do something. I'm having a very good time with my numbers at any rate.

Good topic. I could talk about it all day, but I'll bow out and let the rest of you have a crack. Peace,

 

[Santos L Helper]

I'm with Mooster on this one. Stats can be very misleading and as a fantasy league(s) hockey player I spend a good deal of time looking over crap like ice time, shot % at home/away etc etc. It drives you nuts, but I could discuss it all day.

 

[Nic]

There is no end to the statistical analysis of cricket. How the batsmen went out, where the bowler's are bowling, how the batsmen are playing the balls, how each team stacks up against others, how each player stacks up against others, etc, etc, etc.