FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is:

\[ FIP = \frac{(13 * HR) + (3 * (BB + HBP)) - (2 * K)}{IP} + C \]

Where:

\( FIP \) is the Fielding Independent Pitching statistic
\( HR \) is the number of home runs allowed
\( BB \) is the number of walks issued
\( HBP \) is the number of batters hit by pitch
\( K \) is the number of strikeouts
\( IP \) is the number of innings pitched
\( C \) is a constant value, typically around 3.2, added to normalize the statistic

What is FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching)?

Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is a metric in baseball that measures a pitcher’s effectiveness at preventing home runs, walks, hit by pitches, and causing strikeouts, which are the four outcomes that a pitcher has the most control over. It is designed to remove the influence of the team’s fielding ability on the pitcher’s performance, hence the term “fielding independent.”

The formula for FIP is \((13*HR+3*(BB+HBP)-2*K)/IP\), plus a constant (usually around 3.2) to put it on the same scale as earned run average (ERA). A lower FIP indicates a better performance by the pitcher, independent of the fielding behind them. This metric is often used in sabermetrics, the empirical analysis of baseball, to evaluate a pitcher’s true skill level.

Example Calculation

Let's assume the following values:

Home Runs Allowed (HR) = 10
Walks Issued (BB) = 30
Hit By Pitch (HBP) = 5
Strikeouts (K) = 150
Innings Pitched (IP) = 200
Constant (C) = 3.2

Using the formula to calculate the FIP:

\[ FIP = \frac{(13 * 10) + (3 * (30 + 5)) - (2 * 150)}{200} + 3.2 = \frac{130 + 105 - 300}{200} + 3.2 = \frac{-65}{200} + 3.2 = -0.325 + 3.2 \approx 2.88 \]

The Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is approximately 2.88.