Data methodology

Make the limitations visible.

Ninefold documents where data comes from, what coverage exists, when records were updated, how fields are normalized, and where the evidence is incomplete.

Current coverage

Ninefold Scout currently begins with California junior-college players and teams. The site does not imply that nationwide coverage is already complete.

Sources

Player, team, schedule, game, and statistical records may come from official association, conference, school, team, and approved data-provider pages. Records should retain a source link and last-updated timestamp when technically possible.

Update timing

Update frequency depends on source availability, season activity, import reliability, and validation. A target cadence is not a guarantee.

Normalization

Names, schools, conferences, positions, handedness, class years, and statistical fields require controlled normalization. Automated matching should preserve confidence and allow manual correction.

Statistical qualifications

Leaderboards and comparison views should state minimum plate appearances or innings thresholds. Small samples should remain visible rather than hidden behind a rank.

Missing data

Blank values are not automatically zero. The system should distinguish unavailable, not applicable, not reported, and confirmed zero when the source supports that distinction.

Derived metrics

Derived metrics should define the formula, inputs, assumptions, level-specific constants, and treatment of missing fields. Proprietary calculations should remain server-side.

Data-quality flags

Useful flags include missing source, stale record, partial season, unmatched player, duplicate candidate, impossible value, inconsistent denominator, and manual override.

Correction requests

A correction request should identify the player or team, field, current value, proposed value, source link, and supporting evidence.

Source availability

Coverage is enabled only where Ninefold has established an appropriate collection and use process. Availability may change by source, season, association, or data-provider agreement.