SABR Analytics Conference

2017 SABR Analytics Conference Schedule

The sixth annual SABR Analytics Conference was held March 9-11, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.

Here is the full schedule for the 2017 SABR Analytics Conference. Click on a link below for more highlights.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017
Hyatt Regency Phoenix

• 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.: Registration open at Hyatt Regency Phoenix.
• 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: Diamond Dollars Case Competition
  Presentations of the Diamond Dollars Case Competition. Introduction at 8:30 a.m. by SABR President Vince Gennaro. Click here to view the results.
  
• 1:30-1:45 p.m.: Conference Welcome
  SABR President Vince Gennaro and SABR CEO Marc Appleman will welcome attendees to the 2017 SABR Analytics Conference.
• 1:45-2:00 p.m.: Opening Remarks: Brian Kenny
  MLB Network host Brian Kenny will deliver opening remarks.
• 2:00-3:00 p.m.: The Analytics of Hitting, Pitching, and Catching
  Speakers: Jessica Mendoza, ESPN; Eno Sarris, FanGraphs; Vince Gennaro, SABR. Moderator: Dan Migala, PCG/SportsDesk Media.
• 3:15-4:15 p.m.: Research Presentations 1-2
  RP1—Joe Rosales and Scott Spratt, “Minor League Defensive Evaluation”
  RP2—Jeff Zimmerman, “Individual Pitch Performance: Transitioning from Prospect Grades to StatCast: Scouting and Analytics Merge to Predict Pitcher Value”
• 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Player Panel
  Speakers: Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, postseason legend Luis Gonzalez. Moderator: Mike Ferrin, Arizona Diamondbacks/MLB Network Radio.
• 5:45-6:45 p.m.: MLB Now Panel
  Speakers: SABR President Vince Gennaro, former major-leaguer Eric Byrnes of MLB Network; C. Trent Rosecrans, Cincinnati Enquirer. Moderator: Brian Kenny, MLB Network.
  
• 7:00-10:00 p.m.: Welcome/Networking Reception with Baseball Industry Network
  The welcome reception (Garden Terrace, 3rd floor) is an opportunity for conference attendees to meet some of our panelists, speakers, writers and others working throughout the baseball industry. Cash bar. Click here for more details.
  

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017
Hyatt Regency Phoenix

• 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Registration open at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.
• 8:30-8:45 a.m.: Conference Welcome
  A preview of Friday’s schedule at the SABR Analytics Conference.
• 8:45-9:45 a.m.: The Chicago Cubs’ Five-Year Journey to the World Series
  Speakers: Chicago Cubs front-office executives Jed Hoyer and Scott Harris. Moderator: Dan Migala, PCG/SportsDesk Media.
• 10:00-11:00 a.m.: General Manager Panel
  Speakers: Jerry Dipoto, Seattle Mariners; Mike Hazen, Arizona Diamondbacks. Moderator: Brian Kenny, MLB Network.
• 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Research Presentations 3-4
  RP3—Perry Husband, “Effective Velocity: Understanding the Quality of Batted Ball Contact”
  RP4—Gerald Schifman, “How Hard are College Pitchers Worked?”
• 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Lunch
  Analytics Conference registration includes lunch.
• 1:30-2:00 p.m.: Bill James: “Are We Doing The Best Work We Are Capable of Doing?”
  Speaker: Bill James, sabermetric pioneer and Boston Red Sox Senior Advisor on Baseball Operations.
• 2:00-2:15 p.m.: SABR Special Award Presentation
  Sabermetric pioneer Bill James was honored with the inaugural SABR Analytics Conference Lifetime Achievement Award.
  
• 2:30-3:30 p.m.: MLB Advanced Media Statcast Panel
  Speakers: Tom Tango, Daren Willman, and Mike Petriello of MLB Advanced Media. Moderator: Mike Ferrin, Arizona Diamondbacks/MLB Network Radio.
• 3:45-4:45 p.m.: Research Presentations 5-6
  RP5—Ben Jedlovec, “Statistics vs. Data Science in Baseball”
  RP6—Glenn Healey, “The Intrinsic Value of a Pitch”
• 4:45-5:30 p.m.: Diamond Dollars Case Competition
  Encore of the winning presentation by Elon University.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017
Hyatt Regency Phoenix

• 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: Registration open at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.
  
• 8:30-9:30 a.m.: How Analytics Are Being Used in Baseball Broadcasts
  Speakers: Mike Ferrin, Arizona Diamondbacks/MLB Network Radio; Jon Sciambi, ESPN; Jim Deshaies, Chicago Cubs.
• 9:45-10:45 a.m.: Research Presentations 7-8
  RP7—Vince Gennaro, Hitter Performance vs. Different Quality Levels of Pitching
  RP8—Rob Mains, “Has the Modern Bullpen Killed Late-Inning Comebacks?”
• 10:45-11:00 a.m.: Baseball-Reference.com Q&A
  Baseball-Reference.com founder Sean Forman will be on hand to answer questions and provide tips on getting the most out of his website and its research tools.
• 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Diversity in Baseball
  Speakers: Tyrone Brooks, MLB; Renée Tirado, MLB; Sarah Gelles, Baltimore Orioles. Moderator: Vince Gennaro, SABR.
• 12:00-1:15 p.m.: Lunch
  Analytics Conference registration includes lunch.
• 1:15-2:15 p.m.: Technology Panel
  Speakers: Jordan Muraskin, deCervo; Daniel M. Laby, State University of New York College of Optometry; Brian Murphy, STRIVR Labs. Moderator: Brett Kurland, Arizona State University. 
• 2:15-2:30 p.m.: SABR Analytics Conference Research Award presentations
  The winners of the 2017 SABR Analytics Conference Research Awards will be announced and presented.  
• 2:45-3:45 p.m.: Research Presentations 9-10 
  RP9—Shane Sanders, “Comparing Pythagorean Expected Wins and Alternative Models from Contest Theory: Estimation and Extension to the Prediction of Player On-Base Likelihood”
  RP10—Matt Hunter, “Streaks and Extremes: Using Simulations to Find Patterns in Daily Performance”
  
• 3:45-4:00 p.m.: Conference wrap-up by SABR President Vince Gennaro and SABR CEO Marc Appleman.

For more information about the 2017 SABR Analytics Conference, visit SABR.org/analytics/2017.