Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching)

Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is a popular baseball statistic that evaluates a pitcher’s performance by focusing only on the elements they can control, such as home runs, walks, hit-by-pitches, and strikeouts. Unlike ERA, FIP removes the impact of fielders, providing a “pure” view of a pitcher’s skill. Here’s a step-by-step guide to calculate FIP with a practical example.

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Step-by-Step FIP Calculation

FIP Formula

The formula to calculate FIP is as follows:

[
FIP = \frac{13 \times HR + 3 \times (BB + HBP) – 2 \times K}{IP} + \text{constant}
]

Where:

• HR = Home Runs Allowed
• BB = Walks (Bases on Balls)
• HBP = Hit By Pitch
• K = Strikeouts
• IP = Innings Pitched
• Constant = 3.10 (common value for major league baseball to scale FIP similarly to ERA)

Example Values

Let’s calculate FIP using the following example values:

• Home Runs Allowed (HR): 2
• Walks (BB): 3
• Hit By Pitch (HBP): 4
• Strikeouts (K): 5
• Innings Pitched (IP): 6

Now, we’ll plug these values into the formula, step by step.

Step 1: Multiply Home Runs by 13

[
13 \times HR = 13 \times 2 = 26
]

Step 2: Add Walks and Hit By Pitch, Then Multiply by 3

Calculate the total of walks and hit-by-pitches:

[
BB + HBP = 3 + 4 = 7
]

Now, multiply this sum by 3:

[
3 \times (BB + HBP) = 3 \times 7 = 21
]

Step 3: Multiply Strikeouts by -2

[
-2 \times K = -2 \times 5 = -10
]

Step 4: Add the Results from Steps 1, 2, and 3

Add up the values obtained from the first three steps:

[
26 + 21 – 10 = 37
]

Step 5: Divide by Innings Pitched (IP)

Now, divide the result by the innings pitched:

[
\frac{37}{6} = 6.17
]

Step 6: Add the Constant

To complete the FIP calculation, add the constant (3.10):

[
FIP = 6.17 + 3.10 = 9.27
]

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Final Result

With these values, the Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is:

[
FIP = 9.27
]

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Summary

The FIP calculation for this example is 9.27, which represents the pitcher’s effectiveness independent of the defense. Lower FIP values suggest better pitching performance, while higher FIP values indicate areas for improvement. FIP is a useful statistic because it helps determine a pitcher’s skill level by focusing only on the outcomes they control.