Let's play ball!

Baseball Data Visualization in Power BI

Kevin Feasel

CTO, Faregame Inc

The dataset

Lahman's Baseball Database

  • Complete batting and pitching statistics from 1871 to 2020
  • Includes fielding statistics, standings, team statistics, etc.
  • Available in several formats (including an R package!)

A gif of a pitcher throwing a ball and a batter hitting it.

Baseball Data Visualization in Power BI

A primer on baseball

  • Played on a diamond with home plate (4) and three bases.
  • Games typically last 9 innings. Each team bats (that is, plays offense) until they commit 3 outs.
  • 9 players on the field for the defense, including the pitcher (5) and catcher (2).
  • One person bats at a time (3). Each base may have 0 or 1 baserunners.
  • Goal: get on base. Then, score by touching home plate after touching all three bases in order.

A map of a baseball field, including player positions

1 https://publicdomainvectors.org/en/free-clipart/Baseball-diagram/62196.html
Baseball Data Visualization in Power BI

Batting measures and statistics

  • At-Bat (AB)
  • Hit (H)
  • Batting Average (AVG) = $\frac{H}{AB}$
  • Walk (BB)
  • Hit by Pitch (HBP)
  • Sacrifice Fly (SF)
  • On-Base Percentage (OBP) = $\frac{H + BB + HBP}{AB + BB + HBP + SF}$

A player who is currently batting--that is, at bat

Baseball Data Visualization in Power BI

Our audience

The Baseball Historian

  • Has knowledge of the sport

  • Wishes to dispel or confirm "folk knowledge"

  • Does not work for a franchise (team)

Image of a historian looking at books

Baseball Data Visualization in Power BI

Let's practice!

Baseball Data Visualization in Power BI

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