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Performance Analysis

SABR Annual Convention: SABR 36

Red balls are better than blue ballsThe SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) group is dedicated to the advance of study in baseball’s past and present. SABR runs The Baseball Index, which is a free catalogue with a variety of baseball information for baseball fans and researchers.

It is holding its annual convention this month from Tuesday, June 27th through Saturday, July 1st. All of the information that you could ever ask for about the event may be found here. Under the section “Downloads” on the right side of the page, you can download a registration form if you would like to attend the convention.

After perusing some of the topics under discussion, I found one in particular that seems rather interesting. On Thursday, June 29th at 4PM, Phil Birnbaum will be speaking on the topic: Do Players Outperform in Their Free-Agent Year? Here is the abstract of the discussion that will occur:

It seems logical that a player looking for a big free agent contract would work extra-hard to build a solid record of achievement in the season just before he goes on the market. It’s also logical for a player to try to maximize his achievements in highly important game situations, yet extensive research has failed to demonstrate reliable evidence of “clutchiness”. If no such effect is evident for in-game situations, can we find a season-long effect of response to the free-agency incentive? After reviewing previous research on the topic, in this presentation Phil Birnbaum reports the results of his sabermetric examination of the statistical record through the 2003 free-agent crop.

It would be nice for baseball agents to know statistically if their clients will perform better in contract year (the season just before he goes on the market). This information would allow an agent increased information on whether contracts should be re-negotiated before that year or if such a client should hold out on any negotiations until free-agency.

I am not the biggest supporter of statistical/performance analysis, but I do not completely rule out its validity. Statistics should be employed by agents if they can work to their clients’ benefit.

[tags]sabr, society for american baseball research, baseball, statistical analysis, performance analysis, sabr 36, free agent[/tags]

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.