Statistics are very important to baseball, perhaps as much as they are for cricket, and more than almost any other sport. Since the flow of baseball has natural breaks to it, the game lends itself to easy record keeping and statistics. This makes comparisons between players' on field performance relatively easy, and therefore gives statistics more importance in baseball than in most other sports. Statistics have been kept for professional baseball since the creation of each league. Many statistics are also available from outside of Major League chelsea, from leagues such as the National Association and the Negro Leagues. A view of the playing field at Busch Memorial Stadium, St. ... A cricket match in progress. ... The sport of baseball has several professional leagues throughout the world; that is, leagues where the players are paid to play. ... The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (NAPBBP), or simply the National Association (NA), was founded in 1871 and lasted through the 1875 season. ... Part of the History of baseball series. ...

[edit] Development of statistics

The practice of keeping records of the achievements of the players was started in the 19th century by Henry Chadwick.^[1] Chadwick devised the predecessors to modern day statistics such as batting average, runs scored, and runs allowed based on his experience of cricket. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Henry Chadwick (October 5, 1824 – April 20, 1908), often called the father of baseball, was a sportswriter, baseball statistician and historian. ... A graph of a normal bell curve showing statistics used in educational assessment and comparing various grading methods. ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... Bengie Molina of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (in gray and red) scores a run by touching home plate after rounding all the bases. ... In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable (i. ... Bowler Shaun Pollock bowls to batsman Michael Hussey. ...

Traditionally, statistics like batting average for batters (the number of hits divided by the number of at bats) and earned run average (approximately the number of runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings) have governed the statistical world of baseball. However, the recent advent of sabermetrics has brought about an onslaught of new statistics. These statistics are designed to be a better gauge of player's performance and contributions to his team from year to year. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Comprehensive, historical baseball statistics were difficult for the average fan to access until 1951, when researcher Hy Turkin published "The Complete Encyclopedia of Baseball". In 1969, MacMillan Publishing printed its first Baseball Encyclopedia, using a computer to compile stats for the first time. "Big Mac" became the standard baseball reference until 1988, when Total Baseball was released by Warner Books, using even more sophisticated technology. Interestingly, this work led to the discovery of several players who didn't belong in official record books. Several of these "phantom ballplayers", like Lou Proctor, were expelled from the record books.^[2] Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The NASA Columbia Supercomputer. ... Lou Proctor is an example of a phantom ballplayer, an American baseball player listed in the baseball encyclopedias by mistake. ...

[edit] Use of statistics

General managers and baseball scouts study player statistics in order to make decisions on the abilities of players. Managers, catchers and pitchers study statistics of batters on opposing teams to figure out how best to pitch to them and position the players on the field. Managers and batters study opposing pitchers to figure out how best to hit against them. Managers often base their personnel decisions during the game on statistics, such as choosing who to put in the lineup, or which relief pitcher to bring in. Professional sports scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scouts organization. ... Normal depth In baseball, while there are nine named fielding positions, players may move around freely. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Throughout much of modern baseball, several core statistics have been traditionally used. Batting average, RBIs, and home runs are the most commonly referenced batting statistics. To this day, a player who leads the league in these three statistics is referred to as the "Triple Crown" winner. For pitchers, wins, ERA, and strikeouts are the most often cited traditional statistics. A pitcher that manages to lead the league in these statistics is also referred to as a "Triple Crown" winner. Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... In baseball statistics, a run batted in (RBI) is given to a batter for each run scored as the result of a batters plate appearance. ... Mark McGwire swinging for the fences. ... In baseball, the Triple Crown refers to: A batter who (at seasons end) leads the league in three major categories -- home runs, runs batted in, and batting average. ... In Major League Baseball, a win (denoted W) is generally credited to the pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when they last took the lead. ... In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ... In baseball, a strikeout or strike out (denoted by K or SO) occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. ...

Some sabermetric statistics have entered the mainstream baseball world. Among statistics that measure a batter's overall performance, On-base plus slugging (OPS) is one of the easiest to calculate. It adds the hitter's on base percentage (number of times reached base—by any means—divided by total plate appearances) to his slugging percentage (total bases divided by at bats). Some argue that the OPS formula is flawed and that more weight should be shifted towards OBP (on base percentage).^[2] Sabermetrics is the analysis of baseball through objective evidence, especially baseball statistics. ... In baseball statistics, on-base plus slugging (denoted by OPS) incorporates on base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). ... In baseball statistics, on base percentage (OBP) (sometimes referred to as on base average (OBA)) is a measure of how often a batter gets to first base for any reason other than a fielding error or a fielders choice. ... In baseball statistics, slugging average (SLG) is a measure of the power of a hitter. ... In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i. ...

OPS is also useful when determining a pitcher's level of success. 'Opponent On-base Plus Slugging' (OOPS) is becoming a popular way to evaluating a pitcher's actual performance. When analyzing a pitcher's statistics, some useful categories to consider include K/9IP (strikeouts per nine innings), K/BB (strikeouts per walk), HR/9, WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) and OOPS (opponent on-base plus slugging). In baseball statistics, strikeouts per 9 innings pitched (K/9IP) is the mean of strikeouts, (or Ks) by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ...

However, since 2001, more emphasis has been placed on Defense-Independent Pitching Statistics. These statistics, such as Defense-Independent ERA (dERA), attempt to evaluate a pitcher according to those events governed solely by the pitcher's performance, regardless of the strength of the defensive players behind him. In baseball, Defense Independent Pitching Statistics (DIPS) are statistics which measure a pitchers effectiveness based only on plays which do not involve fielders: home runs allowed, strikeouts, hit batters and walks. ...

Also important are all of the above statistics in certain in-game situations. For example, a certain hitter's ability to hit left-handed pitchers might incline a manager to give him more chances to face lefties. Other hitters may have a history of success against a given pitcher (or vice versa), and the manager may use this information to engineer a favorable matchup.

[edit] Commonly used statistics

Most of these terms also apply to softball. Commonly used statistics with their abbreviations are explained here. The explanations below are for quick reference and do not fully or completely define the statistic; for the strict definition, see the corresponding article for each statistic. Softball is a team sport, in which a ball, eleven to twelve inches (or rarely, 16 inches) (28 to 30. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

[edit] Batting statistics

• 1B - Single - hits on which the batter reached first base safely without the contribution of a fielding error.
• 2B - Double - hits on which the batter reached second base safely without the contribution of a fielding error.
• 3B - Triple - hits on which the batter reached third base safely without the contribution of a fielding error.
• AB - At bat - Batting appearances, not including bases on balls, hit by pitch, sacrifices, interference, or obstruction
• AB/HR At bats per home run - at bats divided by home runs
• BA - Batting average (also abbreviated AVG) - hits divided by at bats
• BB - Base on balls (also called a "walk") - times receiving four balls and advancing to first base
• BB/K - Walk-to-strikeout ratio - number of base on balls divided by number of strikeouts
• XBH - Extra base hits - doubles plus triples plus home runs
• FC - Fielder's choice - times reaching base when a fielder chose to try for an out on another runner
• AO/GO - Ground ball fly ball ratio - number of ground ball outs divided by number of fly ball outs
• GDP or GIDP - Ground into double play - number of ground balls hit that became double plays
• GPA - Gross Production Average - 1.8 times on-base percentage plus slugging percentage, divided by four
• GS - Grand Slam - a home run with the bases loaded, resulting in four runs scoring, and four RBI credited to the batter.
• H - Hits - times reached base because of a batted, fair ball without error by the defense
• HBP - Hit by pitch - times touched by a pitch and awarded first base as a result
• HR - Home runs - hits on which the batter successfully touched all four bases, without the contribution of a fielding error.
• IBB - Intentional base on balls A base on balls (see BB above) deliberately thrown by the pitcher. Also known as IW (intentional walk).
• K - Strike out - number of times that strike three is taken or swung at and missed, or bunted foul
• LOB - Left on base - number of runners not out nor scored at the end of an inning.
• OBP - On base percentage - times reached base (H + BB + HBP) divided by at bats plus walks plus hit by pitch plus sacrifice flies (AB + BB + HBP + SF).
• OPS - On-base plus slugging - on-base percentage plus slugging average
• PA - Plate appearance - number of completed batting appearances
• RC - Runs created - statistic that attempts to measure how many runs a player has contributed to his team
• RBI - Run batted in - number of runners who scored due to a batters's action, except when batter grounded into double play or reached on an error
• SF - Sacrifice fly - number of fly ball outs to the outfield which allow a runner already on base to score
• SH - Sacrifice hit - number of sacrifice bunts which allows another runner to advance on the basepaths or score
• SLG - Slugging average - total bases divided by at-bats
• TA - Total average - total bases, plus walks, plus steals, divided by plate appearances plus caught stealing
• TB - Total bases - one for each single, two for each double, three for each triple, and four for each home run
• TOB - Times on base - times reaching base as a result of hits, walks, and hit-by-pitches

In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by striking the ball and getting to first before being made out, without the benefit of a fielders misplay (see error) or another runner being put... In baseball, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance should have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder. ... In baseball, a double is the act of a batter safely reaching second base by striking the ball and getting to second before being made out, without the benefit of a fielders misplay (see error) or another runner being put out on a fielders choice. ... In baseball, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance should have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder. ... In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base by striking the ball and getting to third before being made out, without the benefit of a fielders misplay (see error) or another runner being put out on a fielders choice. ... In baseball, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance should have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder. ... In baseball statistics, an at bat (AB) is used to calculate other data such as batting average. ... In baseball statistics, at bats per home run (AB/HR) is a way to measure how frequently a batter hits a home run. ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... In baseball statistics, a base on balls (BB), also called a walk, is credited to a batter and against a pitcher when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. ... In baseball statistics, walk-to-strikeout ratio (BB/K) is a measure of plate discipline and great knowledge of the strike zone. ... In baseball, an extra base hit (EB, EBH or XBH) is a statistic credited to a batter for hitting a double, triple, or home run. ... In baseball, a fielders choice is the act of a fielder, upon fielding a batted ball, choosing to try put out one runner while in so doing allowing the batter to advance to first base. ... In baseball statistics, ground ball fly ball ratio (denoted by G/F), also known as ground outs per fly outs (denoted by GO/AO), is a measure of: how frequently a pitcher gets batters out on ground balls versus fly balls; calculated as: (ground outs) / (fly outs). ... After stepping on second base, the fielder throws to first to complete a double play In baseball, a double play (denoted on statistics sheets by DP) for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. ... Gross Production Average or GPA is a baseball statistic created in 2003 by Aaron Gleeman as a refinement of On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS). ... In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all the bases occupied, thereby scoring 4 runs - the most possible on a single play. ... Mark McGwire swinging for the fences. ... In baseball statistics, a run batted in (RBI) is given to a batter for each run scored as the result of a batters plate appearance. ... In Major League Baseball history, Ty Cobb had a record 4,191 hits by 1928; Pete Rose would surpass it 57 years later, and finish with 4,256 career hits. ... In baseball, being hit by a pitch refers to the batter being hit in some part of the body by a pitch from the pitcher. ... Mark McGwire swinging for the fences. ... In baseball, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance should have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder. ... In baseball statistics, an intentional base on balls (denoted by IBB), often called an intentional walk, is used in baseball to count the number of times a walk was issued with no intent of ever allowing a hit. ... In baseball, a strikeout or strike out (denoted by K or SO) occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. ... In baseball, a baserunner is said to be left on base (abbreviated LOB) when the half-inning ends, he has not scored, and he has not been put out. ... In baseball statistics, on base percentage (OBP) (sometimes referred to as on base average (OBA)) is a measure of how often a batter gets to first base for any reason other than a fielding error or a fielders choice. ... In baseball statistics, on-base plus slugging (denoted by OPS) incorporates on base percentage (OBP) and slugging percentage (SLG). ... In baseball statistics, a player has a plate appearance (denoted by PA) every time he: Has an at bat (AB) Receives a base on balls (BB) Receives a hit by pitch (HBP) Hits a sacrifice fly (SF) Hits a sacrifice bunt (SH) Reaches base because of interference A batter does... Runs created (RC) is a baseball statistic invented by Bill James to estimate the number of runs a hitter contributes to his team. ... In baseball statistics, a run batted in (RBI) is given to a batter for each run scored as the result of a batters plate appearance. ... In baseball, a batted ball is considered a sacrifice fly (denoted by SF) if the following four criteria are met: There are fewer than two outs. ... In baseball, a sacrifice hit (also called a sacrifice bunt) is the act of deliberately bunting the ball in a manner that allows a runner on base to advance to another base, while the batter is himself put out. ... Barry Bonds holds the MLB record for highest slugging average in a season (.863). ... Total average is a baseball statistic devised by sportswriter Thomas Boswell in the 1970s. ... In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i. ... In baseball statistics, the term times on base, also abbreviated as TOB, is the cumulative total number of times a batter has been awarded for reaching base as a result of hits, walks and hit by pitches. ...

[edit] Baserunning statistics

• CS - Caught stealing - times tagged out while attempting to steal a base
• SB - Stolen base - number of bases advanced other than on batted balls, walks, or hits by pitch
• R - Runs scored - times reached home base legally and safely

In baseball, a player is charged with a caught stealing when, as a runner, the player attempts to advance from one base to another without the ball being struck by a batter, but is put out by a fielder while making the attempt. ... The all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson, swipes third in 1988. ... Bengie Molina of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (in gray and red) scores a run by touching home plate after rounding all the bases. ...

[edit] Pitching statistics

• BB - Base on balls (also called a "walk") - times pitching four balls, allowing the batter-runner to advance to first base
• BB/9 - Base on balls times nine divided by innings pitched (Bases on balls per 9 innings pitched)
• BF - Total batters faced - opponent's total plate appearances
• BK - Balk - number of times pitcher commits an illegal pitching action or other illegal action while in contact with the pitching rubber, thus allowing baserunners to advance
• BS - Blown save - number of times entering the game in a save situation, and being charged the run which ties the game.
• CERA - Component ERA - an estimate of a pitcher's ERA based upon the individual components of his statistical line (K, H, 2B, 3B, HR, BB, HBP)
• CG - Complete game - number of games where player was the only pitcher for his team
• DICE - Defense-Independent Component ERA - an estimate of a pitcher's ERA based upon the defense-independent components of his statistical line (K, HR, BB, HBP)
• ER - Earned run - number of runs that did not occur as a result of errors or passed balls
• ERA - Earned run average - earned runs times innings in a game (usually nine) divided by innings pitched
• G - Games (aka 'Appearances') - number of times a pitcher pitches in a season
• GF - Games finished - number of games pitched where player was the final pitcher for his team
• G/F - Ground ball fly ball ratio - ground balls allowed divided by fly balls allowed
• GS - Starts - number of games pitched where player was the first pitcher for his team
• H/9 - Hits per nine innings - hits allowed times nine divided by innings pitched (also known as H/9IP - Hits allowed per 9 innings pitched)
• H - Hits Allowed - total hits allowed
• HB - Hit batsman - times hit a batter with pitch, allowing runner to advance to first base
• HLD (or H) - Hold - number of games entered in a save situation, recorded at least one out, did not surrender the lead, and did not complete the game
• HR - Home runs allowed - total home runs allowed
• IBB - Intentional base on balls allowed
• IP - Innings pitched - number of outs recorded while pitching divided by three
• IP/GS - Average number of innings pitched per game
• IR - Inherited runners - number of runners on base when the pitcher enters the game
• IRA - Inherited runs allowed - number of inherited runners allowed to score
• K - Strikeout - number of batters who received strike three
• K/9 - Strikeouts per nine innings - strikeouts times nine divided by innings pitched (Strikeouts per 9 innings pitched)
• K/BB - Strikeout-to-walk ratio - number of strikeouts divided by number of base on balls
• L - Loss - number of games where pitcher was pitching while the opposing team took the lead, never lost the lead, and went on to win
• OBA - Opponents batting average - hits allowed divided by at-bats faced
• PIT - Pitches thrown (Pitch count)
• QS - Quality start - a game in which a starting pitcher completes at least six innings and permits no more than three runs
• RA - Run average - number of runs allowed times nine divided by innings pitched
• SHO - Shutout - number of complete games pitched with no runs allowed
• SO - Strikeout Also may be notated as 'K'.
• SV - Save - number of games where the pitcher enters a game led by the pitcher's team, finishes the game without surrendering the lead, is not the winning pitcher, and either (a) the lead was three runs or less when the pitcher entered the game; (b) the potential tying run was on base, at bat, or on deck; or (c) the pitcher pitched three or more innings
• W - Win - number of games where pitcher was pitching while his team took the lead and went on to win (also related: winning percentage)
• WHIP - Walks and hits per inning pitched - average number of walks and hits allowed by the pitcher per inning
• WP - Wild pitches - charged when a pitch is too high, low, or wide of home plate for the catcher to field, thereby allowing one or more runners to advance or score

In baseball statistics, a base on balls (BB), also called a walk, is credited to a batter and against a pitcher when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. ... Walks may refer to: Base on balls Walking This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... In baseball statistics, bases on balls per 9 innings pitched (BB/9IP) is the mean of bases on balls, (or walks) given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ... In baseball statistics, total batters faced  (denoted by TBF), also known as batters faced (denoted by BF), is the number of batters a pitcher has pitched to in a game or in a season. ... In baseball, a pitcher may commit a number of illegal motions or actions which constitute a balk. ... To save in a sport means to stop a goal or to maintain the lead. ... To save in a sport means to stop a goal or to maintain the lead. ... Component ERA (ERC) is a baseball statistic invented by Bill James. ... In baseball, a complete game (denoted by CG) is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game himself, without the benefit of a relief pitcher. ... Abbreviated DICE, Defense-Independent Component ERA is a recent (21st century) variation on Component ERA, one of an increasing number of baseball sabermetrics that fall under the umbrella of defense independent pitching statistics. ... In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable (i. ... In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ... GAMES Magazine is a United States based magazine devoted to games published by GAMES Publications, a division of Kappa Publishing Group. ... Appearances (2008) Starring The Voice Talents Of: Leon, Tom Cruise, Russell Crowe, Lisa Kudrow, Oliver Martinez, Michael Keaton, Billy Connolly And Ernie Sabella From: DreamWorks Animation ... In baseball statistics, a relief pitcher is credited with a game finished (denoted by GF) if he is the last pitcher to pitch for his team in a game. ... In baseball statistics, ground ball fly ball ratio (denoted by G/F), also known as ground outs per fly outs (denoted by GO/AO), is a measure of: how frequently a pitcher gets batters out on ground balls versus fly balls; calculated as: (ground outs) / (fly outs). ... In baseball statistics, games started (denoted by GS) is credited to a pitcher who throws the very first pitch to the opposing team of a single game. ... In baseball statistics, hits per nine innings (denoted by H/9) is the average number of hits allowed by a pitcher in a nine inning period; calculated as: (hits allowed x 9) / innings pitched. ... In baseball statistics, hits per nine innings (denoted by H/9) is the average number of hits allowed by a pitcher in a nine inning period; calculated as: (hits allowed x 9) / innings pitched. ... In baseball statistics, hits per nine innings (denoted by H/9) is the average number of hits allowed by a pitcher in a nine inning period; calculated as: (hits allowed x 9) / innings pitched. ... In Baseball statistics, hits allowed (HA) signifies the total number of hits a pitcher allowed. ... In baseball, being hit by a pitch refers to the batter being hit in some part of the body by a pitch from the pitcher. ... In baseball, a hold is awarded to a relief pitcher if he enters in a save situation, records at least one out, and leaves the game without having reliquished that lead. ... In Baseball statistics, home runs allowed (HRA) signifies the total number of home runs a pitcher allowed. ... In baseball statistics, an intentional base on balls (denoted by IBB), often called an intentional walk, is used in baseball to count the number of times a walk was issued with no intent of ever allowing a hit. ... In baseball, innings pitched (IP) are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher is in the game. ... In baseball statistics, inherited runners, or inherited baserunners, are the runners on base when a relief pitcher enters the game. ... In baseball statistics, inherited runs allowed (denoted by IRA) is a measure of the effectiveness of a relief pitcher who enters a game with runners on base; a pitcher is charged with an inherited runner scored when a player who was on base when he entered the game scores a... Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn strikes out swinging to Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz (not pictured). ... In baseball statistics, strikeouts per nine innings  (denoted by SO/9) is a measure of the strikeout ability of a pitcher; calculated as the number of strikeouts obtained for every nine innings pitched: (9 x number of strikeouts) / (innings pitched). ... In baseball statistics, strikeouts per 9 innings pitched (K/9IP) is the mean of strikeouts, (or Ks) by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. ... In baseball statistics, strikeout-to-walk ratio (SO/BB) is a measure of a pitchers ability to control pitches; calculated as: strikeouts / bases on balls. ... In Major League Baseball, a loss (denoted L) is charged to the pitcher of the losing team who allows the run that gives the opposing team the lead which the game is won with (the go-ahead run). ... In baseball statistics, opponents batting average (denoted by AVG) is a statistic that measures a pitchers ability to prevent hits; calculated from players at bats against a particular pitcher and adjusted for base runners put out while stealing or attempting extra bases; calculated as: (base hits by opponents) / [(innings... In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher, often abbreviated as starter, is the pitcher who pitches the first pitch to the first batter of a game. ... In the statistics of the team sport baseball, a quality start is awarded to a starting pitcher who completes at least six innings and permits no more than three earned runs. ... In team sports, in American English, a shutout (a clean sheet in football) refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. ... Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn strikes out swinging to Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz (not pictured). ... To save in a sport means to stop a goal or to maintain the lead. ... In Major League Baseball, a win (denoted W) is generally credited to the pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when they last took the lead. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... In baseball, walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) is a sabermetric measurement of how many baserunners a pitcher is responsible for allowing per inning pitched. ... In baseball, a wild pitch (WP) is charged to a pitcher when a pitch is too high, too low, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to field capably, thereby allowing one or more runners to advance or to score. ...

[edit] Fielding statistics

• A - Assists - number of outs recorded on a play where a fielder touched the ball, except if such touching is the putout

• DP - Double plays - one for each double play during which the fielder recorded a putout or an assist.
• E - Errors - number of times a fielder fails to make a play he should have made with common effort, and the offense benefits as a result
• FP - Fielding percentage - total plays (chances minus errors) divided by the number of total chances
• INN - Innings - number of innings that a player is at one certain position
• PB - Passed ball - charged to the catcher when the ball is dropped and one or more runners advance
• PO - Putout - number of times the fielder tags, forces, or appeals a runner and he is called out as a result
• RF - Range factor - ([putouts + assists]*9)/innings played. Used to determine the amount of field that the player can cover
• TC - Total chances - assists plus putouts plus errors
• TP - Triple play - one for each triple play during which the fielder recorded a putout or an assist

A number of sports have a statistic known as an assist: An assist (hockey) goes to the player or players who helped set up a goal. ... After stepping on second base, the fielder throws to first to complete a double play In baseball, a double play (denoted on statistics sheets by DP) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. ... In baseball, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or runner to reach one or more additional bases, on a play that would normally be completed successfully with ordinary effort. ... In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player handles a batted ball properly. ... An innings, or inning, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably baseball and cricket – during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. ... In baseball, a catcher shall be charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or to control a legally pitched ball which should have been held or controlled with ordinary effort, thereby permitting a runner or runners to advance. ... In baseball statistics, a putout (denoted by PO or fly-ball when appropriate) is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods: tagging a runner with the ball touching a base that a runner on a force play is trying to reach catching... Range Factor (commonly abbreviated RF) is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. ... In baseball statistics, total chances (denoted by TC) represents the number of plays that a defensive player participated in. ... In baseball, a triple play (denoted by TP) is the act of making three outs during the same continuous play. ...

[edit] General statistics

• G - Games played - number of games where the player played, in whole or in part
• Pythagorean expectation - estimates a team's expected winning percentage based on runs scored and runs allowed.

In baseball statistics, games played (denoted by G) indicates the total number of games in which a player has participated (in any capacity). ... Pythagorean expectation is a formula invented by Bill James to estimate how many games a baseball team should have won based on the number of runs they scored and allowed. ...

[edit] Good statistics

It is difficult to determine quantitatively what is considered to be a good statistic, and qualitative assessments may lead to arguments. It is interesting to look at recent results for some typical statistics and let the reader draw their own conclusions. Using full-season statistics available at the Official Site of Major League Baseball^[3] for the 2000 through 2006 seasons, the following tables show top ranges in various statistics, in alphabetical order. For each statistic, two values are given: This year in baseball: 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 Events January-March January 6 - Major League Baseball officials order Atlanta Braves reliever John Rocker is to undergo psychological testing following derogatory remarks he made in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2006 throughout the world. ...

• Top5 - the top five players bettered this value in all of the reported seasons
• Best - this is the best of all of the players for all of the reported seasons

Arguably, a statistic that falls within the range shown might be considered as good.

[edit] See also

• Triple Crown in Major League Baseball
• MLB Most Valuable Player Award winners
• Cy Young Award winners
• MLB Rookie of the Year Award winners
• Gold Glove Award winners
• Retrosheet
• List of pitches

In baseball, the Triple Crown refers to: A batter who (at seasons end) leads the league in three major categories -- home runs, runs batted in, and batting average. ... In the game of baseball, both amateur and professional, it is tradition to annually recognize the one player in the league who has contributed the most to the success of the players team. ... In baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best pitchers in the Major Leagues. ... In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is given to the best first-year players in the American and National Leagues. ... In American baseball, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to simply as the Gold Glove, is the award annually given to the Major League player judged to be the most superior individual fielding performance at each position (in each league), as voted by the managers and coaches in each... Retrosheet is a non-profit organization whose website features major league baseball box scores and play-by-play narratives for almost every contest from 1957-2005. ... The typical motion of a pitcher In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. ...

[edit] References / Resources

[edit] Cited

Pete Palmer is an American baseball [statistician]], and one of the leading creators of the mathematical system referred to as sabermetrics. ... Pete Palmer is an American baseball [statistician]], and one of the leading creators of the mathematical system referred to as sabermetrics. ...

[edit] General

• Alan Schwarz, The Numbers Game: Baseball’s Lifelong Fascination with Statistics (New York: St. Martin's, 2005)(ISBN 0-312-32223-2).
• Curveball (ISBN 0-387-98816-5) - A book on new statistics for Baseball.*
• Official Baseball Rules (OBR)
• The Official Site of Major League baseball - Baseball Basics: Abbreviations

Alan Schwarz (b. ... The Official Baseball Rules govern all professional play in the United States and Canada. ...

[edit] Other terminology

• Ball
• Strike
• Strike zone