Computer age delivers extra work for Kernels pitchers

Cedar Rapids Kernels starting pitchers work hard during games, perhaps more so when they're not throwing.

They are responsible for charting every pitch and at-bat, including last night's 5-1 win over Beloit at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The charting is being done via computer as well this season. The parent Los Angeles Angels are clients of a company called Inside Edge that created software to provide detailed pitching and hitting data and video that can be easily accessed and shared by managers, coaches and instructors.

“It can be a wealth of information,” said Kernels hitting coach Brent Del Chiaro.

Kernels pitchers sit behind home plate and keep the old written charts. That hasn't changed. But now they're putting everything into a computer at the same time.

“This is more detailed than the written one we do,” said Kernels pitcher Stephen Locke, who shared computer duty last night with injured pitcher Fabio Martinez. “And they can just print this (information) out.”

The Kernels have small cameras behind home plate and in center field that capture each pitch and at-bat and are linked to Inside Edge. Charters use the software to punch in each pitch (type, velocity, location) and result of an at-bat (where it was hit, who fielded it, etc.).

The data produces spray charts that show pitcher and hitter tendencies.

“By the time you are done (inputting) everything with one pitch, the next one is already being thrown,” Locke said. “You've got to be quick. You stay busy the whole game.”

Sometimes too busy, according to Del Chiaro and Kernels pitching coach Brandon Emanuel, who say information can easily be unintentionally missed or inaccurate. Inside Edge did tutorials with managers, coaches and some players during spring training.

Computers have inexplicably just shut off during games this season as well. That's why the written charts are still being produced.

“The problem we have at this level is the consistency of the right information being (inputted),” Emanuel said. “They don't do it at the levels below us. So if a kid comes up here, he's just getting introduced to this. They can miss a lot of stuff. So a lot of the information we get (from the program) can be skewed at times.”

Still, Inside Edge can be highly valuable, Emanuel and Del Chiaro said.

“If it's done right, I think it's great,” Emanuel said.