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Howard Smith – Pittsburgh ICE:

Howard Smith – Pittsburgh ICE: (June 23, 2011):

First, can you tell readers how the ICE program got started and how it’s funded?

Pittsburgh ICE (formerly known as Hockey in the Hood) was founded by several people from the Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Association, and Mr. Clifford G Benson of Deloitte Consulting.

The concept of the program was to introduce kids in the city of Pittsburgh to the game of ice hockey. A lot of kids cannot afford to play hockey and do not have the access or means to even attempt to try the game.

The National Hockey league, seeing how hockey was growing in the mid-1990’s developed an idea to get kids from the cities (predominently from the inner cities) the chance to play hockey. This concept was developed by the National Hockey League in 1994. The programs that formed this concept created the National Hockey League Diversity Task Force now called Hockey Is For Everyone. Our first season was in
October 2000 and we have just concluded our 11th season of hockey in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh ICE is a learn to skate/learn to play program. We have over the years developed a lot of players that have gone on to play high school locally. Our program has had an 8 year relationship with Carrick High School. Many past and current Carrick Cougars hockey players got their initial hockey start and training with Pittsburgh ICE. This program is funded through grants and donations from various
organizations and support from the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation , the National Hockey League and many fundraising events during the course of the season.

Hockey in Pittsburgh seems to have improved tremendously with area players like Gibson, Saad, Miller, Trocheck and Houser all ranking high for the NHL draft. What do you attribute this to?

This is attributed to the exposure of hockey to many kids in the Pittsburgh area. With more high schools developing teams and more access to amateur programs, players are getting more opportunities to hone their skills on the ice thus being able to compete at a much higher level.

In spreading the hockey message, how do you first get children who have not had the opportunity to experience hockey interested in the sport – especially if there’s a perception that they cannot afford to play?

I go out into the city to the various youth recreation centers and talk about the program. Word of mouth has really been a huge success in getting kids involved in this program. During the school year I will speak with local school officials about the program and just explain to them what the program is about and how kids can join.

Once done, how does your organization make hockey more accessible to those children in the Pittsburgh region?

We make hockey more accessible by providing the instruction, equipment and ice time to kids that want to learn to play. The only cost to a parent that wants their child to participate in this program is $35.00. That does not go to Pittsburgh ICE. That fee is for USA HOCKEY registration which is required for all participants of USA HOCKEY affiliated programs. This is insurance. All players, on-ice volunteers and coaches are required to pay this.

Where/how do you think you can you improve in terms of the program and are there plans to do so?

Each year we have grown. In our first season (2000 – 2001) we had 30 kids. This past season we had over 150 kids registered with the program. We anticipate that same amount maybe a few more this coming 2011-2012 season.

We look to improve each year through fundraising, community awareness of our program and just overall getting a lot of kids to try a sport that they may otherwise have no accessibility to try.

Does the Penguins organization get involved in the program – if so, how?

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been involved with this program since our first season. Over the past 11 years the Penguins have been OUTSTANDING with their support. From player visits to the practices to providing tickets to games during the season to having our kids skate at Consol Energy Center for various hockey events, the Penguins are very Pro-Active in their support of Pittsburgh ICE.

Our program is very fortunate to have such support. There are some programs similar to ours in other cities that have an NHL team and those programs get marginal support from their NHL team. Our original program logo featured the ‘Skating Penguin” logo. Our program was very honored to have the “Skating Penguin” as part of our logo.

The Penguins have been highly touted for their involvement in community affairs and the growth of hockey in the region. It appears to a major initiative of the organization – not just “something else they do”. How is this fostered through the organization and why is this so important to the Penguins?

I feel it is important because in my opinion, the Penguins are very supportive of youth hockey in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins want to see more kids playing the great game of hockey and with various youth hockey camps available to kids, the Penguins are making hockey available to all kids in the Pittsburgh area. The first step is to reach out to those kids that cannot for what ever reason play hockey. The Penguins have done that through programs like Street Pals (Street Hockey),and Dek Hockey programs. With support from
the Penguins, Pittsburgh ICE has been able to reach those in the Pittsburgh area that want to play ice hockey.

Who are the Penguins players that get involved most – how do they do so and any fun anecdotes from their involvement?

Over the past 11 years we have had many players come out to skate with the kids and hold clinics. Players like Gary Roberts and Georges Laraque, Hall of Famer Joe Mullen, and others such as Phil Borque and Brooks Orpik have given of their time and hockey knowledge to our program.

When the Penguins were invited to the White House in 2009, Pittsburgh ICE (Hockey in the Hood) was also invited to the White House. The kids that were selected to go had a wonderful time on the ice with Sidney Crosby, Marc Andre Fleury, Brooks Orpik and Jordan Staal.

Any new programs being considered/implemented soon?

As far as new programs, not so much. Our season runs from October through mid- March. Approximately 50 days of hockey instruction. (similar to an entire 82 game hockey season). We may look to expand the program in a few years provided there is an interest and the means available to expand such as more ice availability in the city of Pittsburgh.

What have been the most rewarding – and frustrating – elements of your program so far?

There have been so many rewarding things with this program too numerous to mention. The best reward for me is to see a child that has never had an opportunity to play the game of hockey learn and master basic skills and then keep pursuing the sport, that is rewarding for me.

Seeing kids skate at Civic Arena and the joy on their faces.. that is rewarding. On the frustrating side, If there was an indoor rink in the heart of the city, then a lot more kids would be playing hockey. It is frustrating to me to tell parents about the program and then hear that a lot of parents / kids cannot get to the rink that we skate at because of a lack of transportation.

This is something that has been an ongoing issue but we work around that with carpools and parents that volunteer to give a kid a ride who may need a lift to practice from time to time.

How has the success for the Penguins made things easier – and harder – for you and your programs?

The success of the Penguins has made hockey a sport that a lot of kids want to try and play. That is easy. The hard part is reaching out to those kids that do not have the means necessary to play the game. That is where Pittsburgh ICE comes in. Someone told me that this program was only going to last 6 months. That was 11 years ago…

Any last thoughts for readers?

Our website is www.pghice.com or www.pghice.net or www.pghice.org. We are affiliated with the National Hockey League / Hockey is For Everyone. I would love to reach out to more kids in the city to give them a chance to learn such a great sport.

The hockey community in the city of Pittsburgh over the past 11 years have been Stellar in their support of this program. I cannot thank the hockey community of Pittsburgh enough for all they have done from equipment drives to donations, etc.

Phil DiPietro – Pittsburgh Dynamo Soccer

Phil DiPietro – Pittsburgh Dynamo Soccer (July 18, 2011):

First, can you tell readers about the Dynamo Soccer club – who is eligible to play and who you play against?

Any child 5 years old to 18 years old is eligible to play soccer for Dynamo. We have an in-house, or recreation league, where the Dynamo teams play each other. We also field travel teams that play teams from other soccer clubs around the Pittsburgh area.

70% of our kids play in our recreation league.

How is the organization run and funded, and how can others get involved?

Dynamo receives almost all of its funding through registration fees, which are set to just cover expenses.

Dynamo receives enormous support from the city of Pittsburgh, which provides and maintains the Schenley Oval and the other fields we use. Dynamo is a volunteer organization, and we are always looking for good people!

You do not need to have a child playing with Dynamo in order to volunteer. Grandparents make great coaches. If you are interested, go to our website //www.pittsburghdynamo.org/home.php and send an email to the contact persons.

How did you personally get involved with the organization?

I moved to Pittsburgh six years ago. My son and daughter were in 3rd and 4th grade. They joined the recreation league, and I volunteered to coach.

Have you found registration numbers to be increasing steadily – how have you made the team known to those in Pittsburgh?

Dynamo registrations are up 20% from two years ago.

This past spring we had 1,000 kids playing soccer. We rely mostly on word of mouth for advertising.

How hard is it to get kids interested in soccer in a city so focused on football, hockey and now, baseball?

It is not hard at all. Soccer is incredibly accessible.

If you put eight six-year-old kids on a patch of grass with a soccer ball and a 30 second explanation of the rules, it is impossible for them not to have fun.

And the game has great depth. You can play for a decade and still have lots to learn.

Where have some of the team “alumni” ended up over the years – what schools/teams?

We do not keep track of alumni, though we ought to.

Dynamo started in 1972 so our alumni are everywhere. We are starting a Facebook page, so maybe that will help.

One Dynamo alumni, Devon Nguyen, plays for a Beadling team that will compete for the 16-year-old-boys national title next week. Essentially, Devon is on one of the best four teams in the country in his age group. This is an outstanding accomplishment for Devon, and also for the Beadling Soccer Club and for the Olympic Development Program in western Pennsylvania.

What do you focus on most in terms of player development?

Dynamo is focused mostly on kids having fun and getting exercise, especially for kids under ten years old.

We embrace the training guidelines from the umbrella soccer organization, PA West. There are lot of aspects to the game, but the clear focus in the early years is on foot skills and decision making.

How do you determine what positions to assign players, especially the younger ones?

Dynamo recommends that kids under the age of twelve rotate around the field and learn the different aspects of the game.

What’s your biggest sense of satisfaction as a coach?

Moments with a team when the players stop looking to me first and their group focus transitions to point somewhere in the middle of the field and they start making the game their own.

Do you work with any of the local soccer clubs like the Riverhounds? If so, how?

Dynamo does not have any formal alliances.

Many of our kids take advantage of the skill development courses offered by the Riverhounds, which are excellent.

We also coordinate winter training sessions with the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh men’s soccer team, Joe Luxbacher, who is similarly a highly-skilled teacher.

What advice would you give to younger kids and their parents who are interested in seriously pursing a collegiate and/or professional career in soccer?

“Reconsider” is the first word that comes into my mind.

I might not be the best person to ask. 99.99% of us will play soccer for the thrill and comradeship. Fame and income are not a part of the equation. My advice for a kid who loves the sport is to take his or her career as an athlete one step at a time with short term goals and make sure you are having fun all the way along.

Beware of overdoing it with numbers of teams and training sessions. Appreciate and enjoy every opportunity you have to play soccer.

Any other thoughts for readers?

Registration for Dynamo’s fall season is open now.

It is great fun! //www.pittsburghdynamo.org/home.php

Anthony Villiotti – DraftMetrics

Anthony Villiotti – DraftMetrics (May 12, 2011):

First, can you tell readers about your website, how you got started and what we should expect in the weeks ahead?

DraftMetrics covers the gamut of NFL player acquisition activities. Most of the coverage is on the draft, but trades, free agent signings and other activities are covered as well. I have been interested in the draft since the late 1960s, first as a “draftnik” and then as someone interested in studying the outcomes of the draft.

I published a study in the late 1980s called The NFL Draft: A Historical Perspective that I sold to a number of NFL teams and fans. In late 2009 I decided to pick this study back up again and in the spring of 2010 I published DRAFTMETRICS which was purchased by several NFL teams, player agents and fans. As I was writing DRAFTMETRICS it seemed that a website would be a better way to present my information since it allowed for continual updating and addition of information.

As far as what to expect in the weeks ahead, my main priority is going to be revising my website to make it more user friendly. After that I will probably ignore the draft for a little awhile and do more research and articles on the general issue of how NFL teams are built.

In examining the NFL draft over the past 2+ decades, what are some of the most frequent mistakes teams make in your opinion?

There is no data to support this so it’s just my opinion but I think the two biggest mistakes that teams make are to place too much value on post-season activities and to reach for players. A guy has four years of game action on tape that is sometimes wiped out by one offseason workout session.

Reaching is understandable if you have a need at a particular position but it leads to mistakes.

On the Steelers specifically, what have they done well over the past few seasons in the draft? What area of the draft do you think the Steelers could improve on?

It’s really hard to be overly critical of anything the Steelers have done in the draft.

What they have done best, though, in recent years is to “hit” with their first round draft choice even though they typically draft later in the round. The jury is still a bit out on Ziggy Hood, though he did look promising in 2010, but otherwise you have to go back to Kendall Simmons in 2002 for someone who was somewhat disappointing,

Even Simmons was not a terrible pick since he started 83 NFL games. This shouldn’t be taken for granted. Based on research DRAFTMETRICS has done, only about 62% of first round draft choices become five-year starters in the NFL. The Steelers look on track to bat 100% with their recent choices.

If I had any criticism of the Steelers regarding the draft it’s that I think they tend to undervalue the cornerback position in the draft room. In the last ten years they’ve selected only one cornerback (the ill-fated selection of Richard Colclough in 2004) with a pick in the top 50 of the draft and only three (Bryant McFadden at #62 in 2005 and Curtis Brown this year at #95) in the top 100 picks.

In short, though, it’s really hard to criticize anything the Steelers have done regarding the draft. They pretty serve as the model for the rest of the NFL when it comes to the draft.

Do you see a difference in how Tomlin has approached the draft versus Cowher? If so, how?

I really don’t see any difference in approach. Kevin Colbert is the common denominator with both coaches and the Steelers draft philosophy is well established. I doubt Tomlin would have been hired if he didn’t buy into the Steelers philosophy.

How does the Steelers’ draft approach differ from that of most teams (if in fact it does)?

I don’t think the draft approach is much different than anyone else. The stability in the organization just allows them to have a clear profile of the kind of players that fit the system.

Plus, they are patient and let the players develop in their system. According to Art Rooney II, maybe they’re even a little too patient. Over the last 20 years only the New York Giants have had fewer draft choices start as rookies than the Steelers.

You’ve done a lot of research on team building and what works best. Have you found trends on whether teams find more success when built through the draft or through free agency? What do you think makes one approach better than the other? In your analyses, do you find that teams that trade down for more draft picks (as has been the trend of New England lately) find more or less success overall than teams that trade up or stand still?

I think building through the draft has proven to be the most effective way to build a team. There are a lot of different ways to approach this issue. One very simple way is to look at the teams who used the most draft choices versus the teams that used the least and see how they fared on the field.

The five teams with the most draft choices, in order, were the Patriots, Titans, Packers, Steelers and Eagles. These teams have a total of 943 draft selections over the last 20 years and a total of 943 wins (no typo, same number of wins as draft choices).

The five teams with the fewest number of draft choices were the Redskins, Saints, Lions, Raiders and Jets. These teams had a total of 739 draft choices and only 713 wins in the 20 year period. So there does seem to be a positive correlation between the number of draft choices and a team’s success.

The other interesting thing to note is that the second group of teams actually had more draft choices, by a very small amount, in the first 28 draft selections than did the more successful teams. So it could be argued that the accumulation of later choices really made the difference. I will be studying this issue in more detail later this year.

So why is it better to build through the draft? I think it’s due to the salary structure of NFL and its salary cap. With the cap, nobody can be the New York Yankees and bury their mistakes. Despite some of the big salaries paid to early first rounders, it is simply cheaper to get talent in the draft than it is through the free agent market.

More and more small school players seem to be making NFL squads and getting drafted. Why do you think this is and how does it change the way teams approach the draft?

Actually, I’m not sure that is the case, at least on the drafted side.

90% of the players drafted over the last 10 years have come from BCS schools, compared to 85% for the years from 1996-2000. Football Championship Series schools (aka Division 1-A) have seen their percentage of players drafted drop from 9% in 1996-2000 to 7% in 2006-2010. Division 2 and 3 schools have had their percentage drop from 5% in 1996-2000 to 3% in 2006-2010.

This is contrary to what would seem to be logical, though. With the decrease in college football scholarships at the D-1 level over the years, you would expect a higher level of talent at the other levels of college football. For whatever reason, that has not been reflected in the draft.

As far as players making in the NFL, I don’t have that broken out right now, but I will make a point of addressing that in the future.

The days of the true, undiscovered sleeper seem to be over.

The ease of filming (I know, showing my age) and access to video makes it hard to hide anyone. So I think all teams do a thorough job of scouting at all levels of football.

Any correlation between the size of a team’s scouting department and their draft success? Do teams that invest more in the draft process actually draft better?

That’s a very good question, but one I have not thought to study. Sounds like a summer project!!

In looking at Pittsburgh’s 2011 draft, what players excite you most and why? What was the best value pick? Conversely, do you see any of these picks as being reaches or just poorer selections?

It was a little bit of a funny year for the Steelers draft.

There was no one that I thought they really stretched to grab (Cortez Allen is probably the closet to that) and no one I thought they got a great bargain on. I’m somewhat excited about Cameron Heyward, because I think he is the perfect fit for the Steelers defensive scheme, but he isn’t a flashy player who is likely to stand out on day one.

I’m most intrigued by Baron Batch and think he has a real shot to be a contributor on this team as a third down back. He essentially played like a third down back all the time at Texas Tech and he is a really easy guy to root for.

I was not too excited about Marcus Gilbert. Nothing concrete about my feelings, just think he went a little higher than he could have and that there may have been a better value out there at the time. There is a question in my mind if he will match up well with quick edge rushers. He is said to be best friends with Markice Pouncey, though, so maybe some of talent will rub off.

Any last thoughts for readers?

The thing I have found most intriguing in my research is where the talent drop-offs are in the draft. I have divided the draft into seven “Value Groups”. All the choices in each Value Group have had about the same rate of success in their post-draft years. The Value Groups are as follows:

 Value Group 1 Selections 1-13

 Value Group 2 Selections 14-28

 Value Group 3 Selections 29-48

 Value Group 4 Selections 49-74

 Value Group 5 Selections 75-114

 Value Group 6 Selections 115-200

 Value Group 7 Selections 201 and after

The Value Groups mean, for example, that players selected with the 13th choice have done about as well as players selected 1st.

Dave Trimbur – Big33.org

Dave Trimbur, Executive Director, Big33.org (April 3, 2011):

First, can you explain the nature of your organization – when and why you began, how it got off the ground initially and what your mission is?

The PNC Big 33 Football Classic is entering its 54th year. We are often referred to as “The Super Bowl of High School Football” as there has never been a NFL Super Bowl played without a Big 33 Alumnus.

The Big 33 Scholarship Foundation Inc was founded in 1985. At this time we added an Academic Scholarship program as well as a Special Needs Children Program “Big 33 Buddies” to our Game. We have now awarded over 3.900,000.00 in academic scholarships students from Pennsylvania and Ohio. We also have over 200 Buddies that annually participate in our program, and we are poised to continue to grow both of these programs.

How does the Big 33 Football Classic work – how are games set up?

The Big 33 Football Classic is a game that matches the Best Graduating Seniors from Ohio vs. the Best Graduating Seniors from Pennsylvania. It is played the 3rd Saturday in June each year.

Besides the Big 33 game, what other programs do you offer?

Academic Scholarships
“Buddy Program”
Youth Football and Cheer Camps

If you visit our website – www.big33.org you will find some videos that can help explain our programs, and hear from some of our participants.

How do players get chosen for each Big 33 game – who decides and how do they do so?

Each year the respective state high school football coaching organizations pick the Big 33 Teams.

In the case of Pennsylvania, We collect video tapes and nomination form during the month of December from all participation High School Football coaches in Pennsylvania. The first weekend in January The PSFCA coaches and Directors from throughout the state meet at Penn State Football complex and spend the weekend reviewing all films and nominations that were submitted and after a weekend of film review, they pick what they believe will be the best PA Big 33 Team.

This group of over 70 dedicated high school football coaches from all across PA make up the selection committee.

Who are some of the big name players that have played in the Big 33 over the years – and who are the players to watch out for this season?

Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Jim Kelly, Tony Dorsett, Ricky Watters, This years Honary Chaiman Ty Law, Ben Rothlisberger, just to name a few.

There are so many this year. But if History holds true one of these young men will play in the Super Bowl at one time or another.

How do college teams use this as a recruiting tool and how much do they rely on this game?

The college teams do not use this game as a recruiting tool as these young man already have their scholarships. The colleges support our game for the reason that they see it as a growing experience.

This maybe the first time that these players play against this much talent and maybe even better talent as a group then they will see in college. The experience that they have during the week while staying with their host family, be paired up with the Buddy allows they to grow as young men.

Each year we have Head Football Coaches that come and speak the teams at our annual banquet. These coaches include Pitt, Ohio State, Penn State, Temple, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Maryland.

What restrictions are placed on colleges that attend the Big 33? What are they not allowed to do?

The colleges can only attend the Annual Banquet and speak they cannot attend the Game or the week long workouts.

Corey Pronman Hockey Prospectus

Corey Pronman, Hockey Prospectus (September 6, 2011)

First, can you tell readers about Hockey Prospectus, how it got started and what readers should expect from your site over the next few months.

Well I wasn’t an original member of Hockey Prospectus– I joined the site in late 2009 whereas the site launched in early ‘09. While I am the prospect expert for the site regularly providing scouting and player development insight on the prospect world, the website is mainly one dedicated to statistical analysis in the sport of hockey.

Our writers are provide very quality work in the field of advanced hockey analysis, and we have our own proprietary metrics such as Goals Versus Threshold (GVT) which is a hockey version of baseball’s Wins Above Replacement but with goals instead of wins.

We also have a top of the line projection system in the sport called VUKOTA which provides projections for Goals Versus Threshold on top of your usual stats.

Recently, you ranked the Penguins organization 25th in the NHL in terms of prospects (//www.puckprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1044). Where do you see the organization lacking and how did this year’s draft help?

They lack a top-end prospect in the system that’s truly an anchor youngster. There’s talent, but not elite talent.

The system’s depth is good, if not above-average, but asides from Morrow, Despres and Kuhnhackl there’s not much top 6 F/top 4 D projection in that system. Beau Bennett has that upside, but I’m not that sold on him– for reasons I explain in the Penguins system profile.

The Pens draft was alright. They didn’t have many picks, Harrington I though was a decent pick where they got him, but getting Joe Morrow in the 20’s was excellent value. If it wasn’t for Joe Morrow, the Pens system may have been ranked a few spots lower.

You rate Morrow as the top prospect of the organization – what impresses you most about the young defenseman to rank him higher than players like Despres?

His hockey sense definitely separates him from Despres as for Morrow it’s a clear strength, while for Despres it’s still a part of his game that holds him back. Morrow’s possession skills are top-end as he’s a tremendous puck-mover and thinker.

His skating is also very good. The physical part of his game raises some concerns, but the game revolves around possession and player’s possession skills and Morrow has a ton of those.

Despes has tremendous tools as he’s big, skates well, has good puck skills etc. but he’s still a bit of a project despite his great QMJHL season. I’d say both of Morrow and Despres’ ceilings are equivalent, but I have a bit more confidence in Morrow’s projection.

You also have Kuhnhackl ranked surprisingly high, at least to some. What do you see in his game and will he crack this Penguins lineup this season?

Kuhnhackl was seen as a potential first round pick at the beginning of the 2010 draft season, but his development stalled playing in Germany.

However his play in the OHL this year was nothing short of stellar, and had many scouts saying he looked like the player some thought he could be back in 2009. He’s a very skilled all-around player as he can skate, handle the puck, thinks the game well and shows a good physical work ethic.

I doubt he makes the team, just because he has a lot of bulking up left to do.

Conversely, Tangradi’s stock seems to be slipping as he struggles to take that next step. What’s missing in his game?

I personally think expectations were set too high for Tangradi, he’s progressed about what I’ve expected from him. He’s an okay 2nd liner/good 3rd line type of player as he’s a big man, will bang bodies, and has fine offensive skills.

His skating holds back his potential mostly.

Which of the Penguins prospects has the greatest upside and potential to surprise, in your opinion?

I really like Kenneth Agostino. I tabbed him with a third line ceiling in my Penguins write up, but he’s progressed well over the summer and looked very good at the USA Under-20 camp. He had a great Freshman season and could be set to take the next step.

Pure upside is Simon Despres, but if I had to bet on who becomes the best player, it would be Joe Morrow.

The Penguins signed Steve Sullivan this offseason. What can fans expect from Sullivan – can he be the 30-goal scoring winger this team seems to look for each season?

He’s in the tail-end of his career.

On a top team like the Penguins, he’s not a top-six player. His possession game last year was below-average, despite being relatively guarded in terms of his usage such as which zones he started in at even strength and the quality of competition he faced. He can still score when he gets his chances, which is nice, but the talent of being able to generate quantity of shots which is much more important has faded.

Speaking of new Penguins wingers, Neal seemed to do everything for the Penguins but score goals. What was the issue with him last season?

He was so, so unlucky. His shooting percentage 1.9% in Pittsburgh, as opposed to 13.1% the same season in Dallas. He’s a career 12.5% shooter too.

Research has shown shooting percentage tends to fluctuate like crazy and is mostly luck dependent than actual skill. If Neal gets 200 shots or more like he has the past two seasons he’ll score around 25 goals for Pittsburgh.

The Flyers and Capitals were very active this offseason. How do the Penguins match up with these teams now?

The Caps are the top guns in the conference as they’re stacked all-around.

I’m sure Pens fans are well aware of this, but if the Pens want to be a top player, it all revolves about the health of their top two guns especially Crosby. The Flyers took a step back, as they got NHL talent, but with a focus on future talent. Putting all their eggs in a basket with a goalie is usually a mistake, because goalie production is volatile and unpredictable, even for the best like Bryzgalov.

Focusing on the league – any thoughts on any of the new ideas stemming from this year’s Research, Development and Orientation Camp?

No idea. I talked to a few sources about the event, but as one pro scout told me, “This camp is 80% about scouting prospects and 20% about the development ideas.”

I focus on the 80%.

Any last thoughts for readers?

Be sure to stay tuned this summer for our annual yearbook Hockey Prospectus 2011-12 which will be available in mid-September. It will have detailed team essays for all 30 clubs with some of the best analysis in the business, on top of the VUKOTA projections for every player in the league.

It will also include a couple of research essays, and my Top 100 NHL Prospects.

Thank you!

Aaron Schatz – Football Outsiders

Aaron Schatz, Football Outsiders (May 5, 2011)

First, can you tell readers about your site – your focus, how it got started and what readers should expect over the coming weeks/months?

Hey. We consider Football Outsiders to be the site for the intelligent football fan. (The place where nobody writes MY TEAM RULEZZZZZZ with six Z’s.)

It started with advanced statistics for the NFL, similar to what folks like Bill James and Baseball Prospectus had been doing for baseball, and that’s still the centerpiece of our work. However, we also do tape study, write humor and fantasy football columns, and last year we added a weekly column about offensive line technique. We also have been expanding our coverage of college football over the last couple years with new writers and new metrics. And of course we have discussion threads on all our articles, and they get pretty active and interesting. With, as noted earlier, a limited number of “Z’s.”

I got started as just a normal fan who just had some questions about the game, and I ended up putting together some numbers so I could answer them. Once I had some numbers, I created some new metrics and we ended up putting a website together.

We got lucky in the timing, because this was right after Michael Lewis had written Moneyball and everyone went out there on the Internet looking for “the Moneyball of ____.” If you looked for the Moneyball of football, there we were. Once we had been publicized to people, my readership grew and really good writers started coming out of the woodwork, guys who had been waiting years to write for a site like this.

Over the next few weeks or months, readers should expect… more of the same stuff they always love! I don’t really have anything fascinating and new to report. We’re mostly sitting around right now trying to figure out how on earth to write our usual preseason book when there hasn’t been any free agency yet.

We’ll still get Football Outsiders Almanac 2011 out there, we’re just not sure when.

By your metrics who would you have tagged – Lamarr Woodley or Ike Taylor. And why?

From a business point of view, I would have tagged Taylor, and here’s why: When it was time to lay out franchise tags, it seemed likely that there would be some kind of labor impasse. The most likely result of a labor impasse would be to continue the free agency rules of 2010 if there is some sort of court decision that ends the lockout and forces the owners to start the league year without a new CBA.

Lamarr Woodley has four years of experience, which means under those rules he would not need to be Franchised, he would be a restricted free agent. The same would be true if they had negotiated a new CBA and had the rules say that you needed either five or six years for unrestricted free agency.

However, if we were working under the old rules where you COULD get unrestricted free agency after four years, then I would have tagged Woodley. He’s younger and still may be growing as a player.

Taylor, on the other hand, isn’t getting any better. He’s a good cornerback, but not a great one. And when you play primarily zone coverage — the Steelers mostly play Cover-3 behind those blitzes they run — your pass rushers are more important than your cornerbacks. (At least, I think so; if you look at this year’s New England draft, Bill Belichick seems to disagree with me.)

Which teams have more success in the NFL over the past few years – teams that run much more than pass or vice-versa – and why?

Passing is more successful than rushing, period. You need to have some balance, of course… that keeps the defense on its toes, it allows for play-action, it lets you convert short yardage — but in general, passing is more efficient and the best teams are those that pass best and stop the pass best.

What’s the best indicator of a successful quarterback? Yards-per-attempt, completion rate ….another?

If you are talking about standard stats, the answer is net yards per attempt — passing yards minus sack yards, divided by sacks plus attempts.

What’s most over-rated and overpaid position in NFL in your opinion – and why?

Oh, that’s easy, running back.

The last few years have shown that there are only a handful of running backs who excel to such a level that it is worth paying them big money, and even then, running backs wear out much faster than players at most other positions.

The difference between a good running back and an average running back isn’t that wide, and the success of the running game has a lot to do with other players, the linemen, rather than the running backs. Look at how many teams have been able to put together successful backfields without spending a lot of money — the Patriots, the Packers, the Broncos for all those years.

Conversely. What’s most Under-rated and underpaid position?

I would say probably nickelback. Last year, teams actually used three or four wide receivers more often than they used two wide receivers. You really need to have three starting-quality cornerbacks in today’s game, and it is worth paying a third cornerback to get a good one.

In your estimation, how successful are pass defenses that rely on blitzing? Do pass blitzes create more positives than negatives throughout the course of a game for a defense?

Yes, I think so. I think the worst strategy is to spend a lot of time rushing four, to be honest. If I were a defensive coordinator, I would alternate blitzes with heavy coverage plays that rushed only three.

How important is time of possession? Do teams that win the time of possession battle usually win more often than lose – and is that changing with NFL rules making it easier for pass-oriented offenses?

Honestly, it’s not that important. What’s important is to score more points, and to gain more yards which leads to advantageous field position which in turn usually leads to scoring more points.

If you convert first downs, you’ll hold on to the ball longer, so of course a team which converts a lot of first downs will have good time of possession. But what’s important there isn’t the actual time of possession, it’s the process of converting first downs and getting four more opportunities to advance the ball and try to score.

How important is it really for teams to have big plays (40 yard or more gains) in games? Are big plays as important for example as turnovers or do teams win consistently without them?

To be honest, big plays are similar to turnovers in that both are examples of plays that are highly random even though there is some skill involved and talented teams will generally have more than less talented teams. You can win consistently without big plays if you are constantly matriculating the ball down the field and converting first downs to move the chains.

Bob Gergerich – President, IHC Hockey

Bob Gergerich, President, IHC Hockey, Inc (June 16, 2011):

First, can you tell readers how the school got started and who you serve?

I started operating hockey clinics in the summer during my senior year of high school in a half sized rink in Bridgeville. I attended several hockey schools and always had an interest in teaching. In 1983, I came up with the name “ International Hockey College”.

Our official name now is IHC Hockey, Inc. as we have diversified over the years. Although we still operate hockey schools under the name of International Hockey College for players 5 years of age to adults, we also have tournament teams, give private lessons and schools, as well as advise and represent players under our IHC Hockey Management division.

Who are some of the better-known players that have gone through your program over the years?

Two local players that have attended many of our schools, and later became instructors at our schools as well, are R.J. Umberger of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matt Bartkowski of the Boston Bruins.

Also, ex-Penguins Billy Thomas and Nate Guenin have attended our schools. Bobby Ryan, who is a star with the Anaheim Ducks, attended our schools in New Jersey. Sasha Lakovic (played with several NHL teams) attended our programs in Niagara Falls. There have been several other players who played in the NHL and/or AHL that have gone through our programs over the years.

Do players often come back to the program once they enter the NHL/NHL affiliates to participate or help teach?

They have not but they are always welcome to. I work with some of the pro players individually though.

We are an independent self funded business and we get absolutely no support or help from the Penguins or any other leagues or teams.

What do you find are the skill-sets young players need to work on most – and what techniques do you use to help them improve?

Stick handling has always been called “the lost art”. Everyone needs to work on stick handling but it has improved over the years in the older players. Stick handling is your foundation to all your puck skills (passing & shooting).

And of course, you always have to work on your skating. Skating is a skill that can always be improved upon – and is so important to the hockey player.

How do you decide what position to play these kids at? Is it their preference, yours, or both?

They tell me what position they play. Of course I can always make a suggestion for change if I think a different position would suit him/his skill set better.

What makes your program unique?

We are unique for many reasons. From a technical stand point, we probably break down the skill into small components better than anyone else. We have the players work on those skills in three progressive steps.

First stationary, then moving slowly, then moving at game speed. Our instructors, who are all former IHC students, do a great job by pulling the players off to the side and reinforcing my instruction one-on-one as needed.

We also utilize the ice better than any of our competitors. You will not see players standing in lines or much down time during an IHC hockey school. We keep the players moving. We consciously make our schools a very positive environment for the players. We realize that we can influence the attitudes and habits of our students on and off the ice, so we try to make that influence a very positive one.

We are also unique because of our longevity and the services that we offer. There have been many hockey development programs that have come and gone in this area during our 28 years of operation. We are the only full time, full service hockey development company in this area where we develop hockey players from age 5 to pro, operate tournament teams, and advise, place and represent youth, college, junior, and pro hockey players.

What tournament teams do you role out, how do you ultimately choose the players that end up on the teams and who do they play?

We have several tournament teams. We have tryouts for our AAA Team IHC teams. These teams are usually made up of Bantams and Midgets and we play in high profile tournaments such as the Toronto Prospects, Boston’s Pre-Draft Showcase and Chowder Cups. We also have Pittsburgh Hockey Prospects AA teams that usually play in Canadian tournaments. These teams are made up of players who are committed to play for us without having tryouts.

What’s your main objective in working with the players in your program – what equals success for you?

My main objective in working with these young hockey players is just to be a positive influence on their lives.

It is great when NHL players come back and tell me that they would have never made it if it wasn’t for my instruction. But it is just as rewarding or even more rewarding when former students invite me to their graduation parties and their weddings and they and their parents tell me how I was a positive influence and role model in their life. There is no better feeling.

When I sit back and wonder if this business is really worth it, I think about those times and read those letters that I have received and realize that there is nothing else that I would want to do more. That is success for me. That is when I realize that someone has really got it. I have Mark Messier’s retirement speech quote on my website which I have always quoted – but in my own words: “It is not about becoming a professional athlete. It is about the journey and the people you meet along the way, and the life lessons you get while playing this incredible game.”

Hockey in Pittsburgh really seems to have improved tremendously with area players like Gibson, Saad, Miller, Trocheck and Houser all ranking high for the NHL draft. What do you attribute this to and how do you keep that momentum going?

Several of these players have come through our programs. I would like to think that I played a very small part in their success. But the real reason they are so successful is because they were LUCKY.

My definition of luck is when preparation meets opportunity. These players prepared themselves for success. They made the sacrifices, worked hard on and off the ice, and constantly worked on their skills

There are no short cuts. When the opportunity presented itself, they were prepared. The programs that they are currently in deserves more credit for their success than anyone in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, they had to leave Pittsburgh to get to the level they are at now. They started playing hockey right after the Penguins won the Stanley Cups in the early nineties. Hockey was booming and registration was at an all time high then. These are the players from that group who made the sacrifices and put in the hard work.

Unfortunately, this city is a Penguin town, not a hockey town. If the Penguins have success like they are having now, then hockey enrollment goes up. Before Crosby, hockey enrollment was at a dangerous all time low in Pittsburgh. Now with registration being at an all time high, and the success of associations developmental programs, combined with the Sidney Crosby-Reebok Little Penguin developmental program,hockey is booming here. The talent level is higher than ever here as well. Again, I think this is a result
of the numbers game. More players that are playing, more will succeed.

Do you do any pre-draft/combine prep for players entering the NHL draft as well?

We are working on having a pre-draft combine for the players we represent next year. We represent several players in the greater Toronto area and we send them to a training facility in Toronto that offers combine testing. We may partner with them next year to offer our IHC Hockey Management Combine Camp.

How do younger kids who go to schools that have little or no hockey programs get started playing hockey, and found, by the better leagues and colleges? What’s the process they should go through?

Most players come up through the amateur leagues before they play for their high schools as well. Most players work their way up from playing at the A level to AA, to AAA, then move on to Junior Hockey after midgets. To be seen by NCAA college hockey, you have to play tier one or tier two Jr. ‘A’ Hockey which requires you to leave this area.

What advice would you offer young players trying to get started on the road to the NHL. What should they be doing to ensure they are on the right track?

First, they have to realize that the odds of making the NHL is very very slim. However, having a goal to be the best you can be and play with the best players in the world is not a bad thing, as long as they still enjoy the game and are getting the other benefits out of playing this great game.

They have to constantly want to improve their skills and put in the time and work on their off-ice training as well. They need to get away from playing so many games in the spring and summer and work on their skills and conditioning. I always tell my players, “you don’t play hockey to get in shape, you get in shape to play hockey.” You also have to play at the highest level possible. I don’t believe
that AAA hockey before Bantams is that beneficial. The money you save from playing AAA at young age can go towards hockey schools and clinics, and towards a structured hockey specific training program.

Scouts start looking at players at the age of fourteen, so this is a good time to be playing in a good AAA program. The tier one and tier two junior leagues have their drafts for players at the age of 15. If you are being looked at by junior teams and prep school teams, you may want to hire an advisor to help you through this confusing process. Just make sure that you are enjoying the journey while you have your sights set on your goal. Time goes by too fast so enjoy every minute of it and hopefully you’ll have great memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Any last thoughts for readers?

I am very blessed to be able to do what I am doing for as long as I have been doing it. It’s like living a dream.

Ken Crippen – Pro Football Researchers Association

Ken Crippen, Pro Football Researchers Association (June 29, 2011):

First, can you tell us a bit about the Pro Football Researchers Association – how it got started and it’s “mission”?

The Professional Football Researchers Association (PFRA) is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to pro football history. We were incorporated in 1979 and currently have over 400 members in 11 countries.

What is a Pro Football Researcher exactly – and why devote an organization to this niche?

A pro football researcher is anyone dedicated to researching or writing about any aspect of pro football history.

How is the organization funded and run?

We are a membership-based organization run by both elected officials and appointed officials. These officials make up the board of directors.

How much research is done/sponsored by the association itself – or is the work done strictly by members?

The work is done by the membership and shared with the membership.

How is the research conducted – and how do the researchers decide on what history to go after in its research agenda?

Research subjects are chosen by the researcher. Any topic that is of interest to the researcher.

What part does oral history play in research and how do researchers go about collecting this?

Oral history is an important part of football history. We want to capture the stories and game accounts first-hand from the players. As the stories get passed down from generation to generation, the quality of the accounts declines.

You get into very specific areas of research – from social movements, gamebooks, uniforms, pre-NFL leagues, etc. How do you focus on each niche and what are some of the more interesting findings across these niches?

The focus on each niche depends on the interest of the researchers doing the work. For example, the uniforms committee has provided graphical representations of all team uniforms from 1933 through 1958.

The social movements committee has focused on racial integration within pro football. The pre-NFL committee has discovered previously unknown teams.

What is some of the more interesting research done on Steelers teams via your association or it’s members?

Matt Algeo’s book “Last Team Standing” on the Steagles was interesting. We have also written on the swapping of franchises between the Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. We have also covered various players and moments from their Super Bowl championships in the 1970s.

How can that research be seen by fans?

The best way to see the research is by visiting our website: www.profootballresearchers.org or by becoming a member to receive our bi-monthly magazine “The Coffin Corner.” Instructions on how to become a member are located on our website.

You have developed your own Hall of Very Good for football researchers – can you tell readers more about this – who is nominated, by whom and how it’s voted on?

The Hall of Very Good was started in 2003 and was designed to honor players who had excellent careers, but were not in the Hall of Fame.

However, some of our inductees have gone on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Each year, our membership submits five names for consideration for that year’s class. Once those names are received, a committee of nine whittles it down to the top twenty players. From there, the twenty names are submitted to our membership for a vote. The top vote-getters will be inducted into the class for that year, with a minimum and maximum class size, as well as a minimum percentage of the votes received.

Any other thoughts for readers?

Visit our website (www.profootballresearchers.org) to learn more about the PFRA.

Warren Anderson – Rehab Plus/MakePlays

Warren Anderson, President – Rehab Plus/Makeplays.com (April 1, 2011):

First, can you let readers know how you got started in sports training and offer any advice for those that would like to do the same?

To make a long story short, I was coaching in the old USFL, starting in 1983 with the Chicago Blitz and Hall of Fame coach George Allen, the next year they moved our franchise to Arizona. In 1985 we became the Arizona Outlaws and were coached by Western PA native and ex-Arizona State coach Frank Kush.

When the league went under in 1985 I started working in physical therapy with Coach Kush’s brother Steve. At the same time Coach Allen’s son Bruce became a sports agent and I began working with him as well. Bruce (currently the GM with the Washington Redskins) and I started the first NFL combine training camp in 1985 as a way to add a competitive advantage for agent services. We kind of merged all our services into a physical therapy/sports training facility and moved forward. In 1988 I opened my own
physical therapy/sports training facility, and we’ve grown and diversified over the years.

You focus a lot on combine training for players looking to get into the NFL. While so much emphasis is on physical training, how do you prepare players mentally for the litany of Questions and pressures that occur at the combine and in the NFL?

The combine was originally created to bring the top prospects together at one spot and conduct medical exams and physicals. It quickly morphed into all the physical testing, i.e. “measurables” and interviews and position drills. etc.

Today the combine is another venue for the league to broadcast, hype, “sell their product”. That being said, for most coaches and gm’s the combine is their first opportunity to see the new prospects “on the hoof”, get to meet with them, watch them move around and do some athletic things. Still today, the medical exams remain one of the most important aspects of the combine.

The interview process has taken on added importance and most prospects will be well versed on this component as well as the physical testing component. The combine is an intense, pressure filled event for the players, and, given these circumstances, allows teams to observe how the player handles the environment. We just want to have our players thoroughly prepared for every component and understand they may have to “adjust on the run”.

For example if a team wants to send a player off for an MRI it may alter his schedule some, and the player has to adapt to that. We like to use the adage “be intense but not tense” when dealing with all the pressures of the combine.

Do players often find the mental aspect of the game and combine more difficult than the physical demands of the game, in your opinion? How do you work with them to improve their mental approach to the game? What techniques do you use?

In regards to the combine, the mental pressures are definitely more of a concern to players.

Candidly, most of the players in this era have been doing all the “measurables” since they were attending high school combines. The tests like the short shuttle and 3 cone are learned skills that aren’t that difficult. Speed can be improved, but at the end of the day, the evaluations are going to go back to game tape.

The evaluation BEGINS with the tape and ENDS with the tape, all the other things help fill in the blanks. In my opinion, one of the biggest misconception players have is that if they blow away all the combine tests they’re going to be a high pick. We’ve had kids call us before the season wanting to know about getting ready for the combine, we just tell them they better worry about making plays on the field because that is going to get them drafted well before what they look like running around in their underwear.

Continuing on with preparing players mentally/psychologically for the NFL game and combine – how much do you alter your techniques and approach depending on the position an athlete plays- and how so?

In recent years, more facilities and agents are bringing in position coaches to work with prospects preparing for the draft. In my opinion, this is one of the smartest thing a young prospect can have available to him.

After the draft, all these rookies are going to have to perform on the field, and understand it is their ability to make plays and DO THEIR JOB that coaches care about. We’re very fortunate to work with some great coaches.

Rod Dowhower, who was an OC and QB coach for 25 years in the NFL, is unbelievably good in working with young QBs. An old Pittsburgh Steeler, Andre Hastings, works with wide receivers. Dre is a wealth of knowledge that is put from a players perspective. Dre has no patience for anything less than 100% and he’ll let them know.

Doug Plank, a Western PA guy who played with the Chicago Bears ( the 46 defense was named after him) and has coached most recently with the Jets, is fabulous with secondary players. Position coaches like this can prepare the player for what he will incur at the combine, but more importantly, have an understanding of what it takes to play in the National Football League.

What do you find are the biggest misperceptions most of these players have when they first start working with you?

As I stated earlier, I think the biggest misconception is that how they perform in the “measurables” will make or break their draft status. Especially offensive lineman. We always use the saying “you gotta know who you are”.

A kid with a late round or free agent grade, for example, has to understand that the measurables may have more relevance to him because, if he tests well it is an impetus to go back and look at some more tape, Again, the game tape is the critical factor.

What’s the toughest adjustment for college players coming into the NFL – both physically and psychologically?

In my opinion, the biggest adjustment for young guys is to understand the National Football League is all business. “No more marching bands or cheeleaders”.

You better have a thorough understanding going in you are trying to take someone’s job and livelihood away from them and the body of work you produce on a daily basis will be evaluated and scrutinized. I think the complexity of the NFL game is different for some players, and they have to understand they must have the ability to process information quickly then translate that information into physical execution.

The length of the season is tough on young guys too, when they’re used to their college season ending, the NFL is just starting to kick into high gear.

Is there a worry on your part that the pre-combine preparation you give to players won’t “stick” once their training with you ends? How do you help prevent that from happening?

Working with prospects prior to the draft, you just try and educate them on the process. From bowl games (senior bowl, etc.) to the combine, to pro day, to visits with teams, to the draft, then you get to your team and the real work starts.

You better keep yourself in great physical condition all the way through, keep working on your skills, until you get to a team. The team you end up with will train you and coach you the way they see fit.

Have you worked with athletes that are resistant to the process or your specific techniques? How do you handle those circumstances if so?

Through the years we really haven’t had any players that were resistant to anything. All the kids we’ve been fortunate enough to work with just want to get better and insure themselves they’ve done everything possible to give themselves the best chance to play in the National Football League.

What do you think would surprise readers most about the athletes and pre-combine process?

With the NFL Network and all the media coverage I don’t know if too much would surprise your readers.

One thing I have found kind of disturbing is some players go to facilities with the sole purpose of improving their 40 or whatever, and neglect their position skill work. We’ve had a number of quarterbacks in recent years, and quarterbacks are basically evaluated on their ability to throw the football effectively.

Especially with QB’s who have played in a spread type offense, their ability to learn the proper footwork in the 3,5,7 step drops, for example, are of much more relevance than what their broad jump, for example, is.

For Pittsburgh fans here – have you worked with any Pitt players and/or players that have gone on to become Steelers? If so, who, and without getting into any issues of confidentiality, how were they to work with?

We have a long and very fond relationship with Pittsburgh.

Starting back in the 80’s we had Pitt players like Tony Woods (DE), Craig “Ironhead” Heyward (RB), Alex Van Pelt (QB) , Bob Buckowski (DE) to name a few. One of my real good buddies is Eric Metz who is from Monroeville and is a prominent NFL agent.

I mentioned Andre Hastings, former Steeler WR who resides out here in Phoenix and helps us out with football training. Dre also has a real successful dog training business which is really his passion. Back in 2001 we worked a project at UPMC in conjunction with SFX sports to do some combine training. That was a ton of fun and we had some good players in Pittsburgh training with us, Deuce McAllister , Justin Smith, Chris Chambers, Matt Light to name a few.

Brett Kiesel who presently plays with the Steelers trained with us. What a great guy. Brett had a great story coming out, you just knew he was a tough guy that wouldn’t be denied, plus he had really good athletic ability. Jeff Otah who played at Pitt and is currently with the Carolina Panthers is out here in Phoenix rehabbing a shoulder with us. Jeff is getting in a ton of strength and conditioning work at the same time. He’s working real hard and looking forward to getting back on the field next year.

On a sad note, one of my good buddies was Tony Brown, who played OT at Pitt in the 80’s. Tony passed away from cancer last June. He was one of a kind.

Last thoughts?

Young high school players keep working on your skill sets as well as your strength,speed, re-direction skills, etc. Be an athlete. And if you’d like, feel free to drop a note to our website: www.makeplays.com.

Thanks Ron.

Bob Sproule – Society for Baseball Research (SABR)

Bob Sproule, Society for Baseball Research (SABR) (July 11, 2011):

First, How did the association and your chapter start?

SABR began as an organization in 1971. To my knowledge the Pittsburgh Chapter, or Forbes Field Chapter, has been around since the early1990’s.

How did you get interested and involved?

I first joined SABR sometime in the 1980’s. This was pre-internet days and everything was done via mail. I had joined primarily to receive the publications that SABR produces. I never really got involved, and I had other things going on in my life, so I let the memebership lapse.

I rejoined in 2001, and I can’t really remember why. By then, though, I had discovered that there was a fairly active Chapter in Pittsburgh. The Internet also expanded the world of SABR. My first true involvement came in 2003 when Ed Luteran and I did a presentation at the Pirates FanFest that year on the first World series in 1903 between the Pirates and the Boston Americans (they were not yet the Red Sox!).

Who uses your data and how?

Not sure I can fully answer that. I know that SABR as a national organization does work with MLB teams in sharing some statistical data. An arrangement is in place with the Pirates to do so, for example.

There’s occasional pushback by some on the overemphasis of statistics in baseball. How so you respond to that concern?

I suppose that I am old school to the extent that I believe that there is indeed too much emphasis on SABRmetric type stats. For example, we had a member a few years back present some stats that “proved” that Ronny Paulino was a better catcher than Jason Kendall. Really?

I also think that when SABRmetrics are used as a basis to award a Cy Young Award to Felix Hernandez with 12 wins then I think that the obsession with these stats has run amok. But that’s just me.

Why do you think statistics hold such an overwhelming appeal for baseball fans, even compared to other sports?

I think that stats in baseball are important because they are a way to measure, compare, and argue about players from different eras. How does Greg Maddux compare to Sandy Koufax to Warren Spahn to Lefty Grove….you get the idea.

Of course, the steroids era has put a whole new spin on such arguments, but that is a whole other issue.

Any examples of how your statistics have made a difference with a player or team- especially with the pirates?

You only have to be a casual fan to realize that Neal Huntington is a “SABRmetric” guy.

I think that the Pirates, and all of baseball, are using these newer statistical models in conjunction with older style of scouting methods, if only to get every possible bit of information before them as they comtemplate making decisions that could and often do involve multi-millions of dollars, which the signing of Gerrit Cole will mean.

Any last thoughts for readers?

People should realize that SABR is a number of things.

The image is of a group of stats-freak, baseball nerds who sit in front of computers all day and come up with all of these arcane statistics. Do some of these people actually watch a ball game?

There is that element to it, of course, but SABR is also, primarily, I believe, a group of baseball fans. Men and women who love to watch a ballgame, argue about it, compare different eras, and simply enjoy the game and its history.

The Pittsburgh Chapter is primarily comprised of those kinds of fans. We meet on a formal basis twice a year – in the Spring and the Fall. We also gather for two informal “hot stove” sessions in the winter and summer.

At our formal meetings, we do have members give presentations on any topic that they may have researched on their own. Topics have ranged from locating home plate at Exposition Park to the history of Greenlee Field to the 1909 World Series to the Hollywood Stars as a Pirates farm club to…well, you get the idea.

We also like to try to get guest speakers (Bob Friend, Chuck Tanner, Steve Blass, Dave Littlefield, and Frank Coonelly have been our guests in the past) and visiting authors.

Our informal hot stove sessions are just that – informal. No agenda, no speakers, no presentations…just people gathering together to have a sandwich and beer or soda to talk baseball. Our next session is set for Wednesday, August 10 at the SoHo Restaurant in the Springhill Suites across from PNC Park. Anybody should feel free to stop on down and join us.

I would also use this forum to appeal to anyone to join SABR and become a part of the Forbes Field Chapter.

Info on joining can be found at www.sabr.org, or please feel free to drop me a note at rfsmms@verizon.net