Stats Glossary
We focus on the stats that matter most, including some you will not find anywhere else! Below is a list of stats you will see on this site, along with definitions, examples, and where applicable, formulas.
Note: for Calculated Stats that contain division, if the denominator (the number you are dividing by) is zero then the value is undefined (i.e., dividing by zero is not possible). In such cases throughout the site, dashes will be shown, like this: ---
1B (Single)
A single is a type of base hit where the batter successfully reaches first base without the benefit of a fielding error or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice. Singles are the most common type of hit and are typically achieved by hitting the ball into the outfield or through the infield in such a way that the batter has enough time to safely reach first base.
Example: A batter hits the ball between the shortstop and third baseman, and the ball rolls into the outfield. The batter runs to first base and reaches safely before the outfielder can throw the ball back to the infield. This is recorded as a single.
2B (Double)
A double is a type of base hit where the batter successfully reaches second base without the benefit of a fielding error or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice. Doubles are typically achieved by hitting the ball into the outfield, often to the gaps between outfielders, allowing the batter enough time to advance to second base.
Example: A batter hits the ball into the gap between the center fielder and right fielder. The ball rolls to the outfield wall, and the batter runs to second base and reaches safely before the outfielder can throw the ball back to the infield. This is recorded as a double.
3B (Triple)
A triple is a type of base hit where the batter successfully reaches third base without the benefit of a fielding error or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice. Triples are less common than singles and doubles and are typically achieved by hitting the ball deep into the outfield, often to the gaps or down the foul lines, allowing the batter enough time to advance to third base.
Example: A batter hits the ball into the gap between the right fielder and center fielder. The ball rolls to the outfield wall, and the batter runs to third base and reaches safely before the outfielder can throw the ball back to the infield. This is recorded as a triple.
AB (At Bat)
An at bat occurs when a batter has faced a pitcher and either reached base via a hit, fielder's choice, or error, or made an out other than a sacrifice. At bats are used to calculate various batting statistics, such as batting average and slugging percentage.
Examples: A batter comes to the plate and hits a single. This counts as one at bat; A batter comes to the plate and strikes out. This also counts as one at bat; A batter comes to the plate and hits a sacrifice fly. This does not count as an at bat.
BB (Base on Balls / Walk)
A base on balls (walk) occurs when a batter reaches first base as a result of the pitcher throwing four balls during an at bat.
Example: A batter has a 3-0, 3-1, or 3-2 count and takes ball four from the pitcher. This counts as a walk and the batter is awarded first base as a result.
BS (Blown Save)
A blown save occurs when a relief pitcher enters a game in a save situation but allows the tying or go-ahead run to score.
Example: A relief pitcher enters the game with a one-run lead and allows the opposing team to score two runs. This counts as a blown save.
CG (Complete Game)
A complete game is credited to a pitcher who pitches an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.
Example: A pitcher starts the game and pitches all nine innings without being replaced. This counts as a complete game.
CS (Caught Stealing)
A baserunner is caught stealing when tagged out during an attempted stolen base.
Example: A runner attempts to steal second base but slides past the bag and is tagged out by the second baseman. This baserunner is caught stealing.
ER (Earned Run)
An earned run is a run for which the pitcher is held accountable. Earned runs are any runs that score without the aid of an error or a passed ball.
Examples: With no outs, a batter hits a two-run home run. These two runs are considered earned runs against the pitcher; with two outs, a batter reaches base on an error, and the next batter hits a home run, scoring two runs. Neither of these two runs are considered earned runs, as the error should have resulted in the third out.
G (Games Played)
A player is credited with a game played for any game in which they have appeared. A team is credited with a game played when a scheduled game is considered completed, or final.
Example: A player appears in a game as a batter, runner, fielder, or pitcher. This counts as one game played, regardless of any activity or accumulated stats.
GS (Game Started)
A pitcher is credited with a game started whenever they are the first pitcher to appear in a game for their team.
Example: A pitcher starts the game on the mound. This counts as one game started.
H (Hit)
A hit, or "base hit" is credited to a batter when they safely reach base by hitting the ball into fair territory without the aid of an error or a fielder's choice. The four types of hits are singles, doubles, triples, and home runs.
Example: A batter hits a ball that lands in the outfield in fair territory but is thrown out at second base by the fielder. This still counts as a base hit, even though an out is recorded. The batter is credited with a single and an out is recorded on the play at second base.
HD (Hold)
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who enters the game in a save situation, records at least one out, and leaves the game without giving up the lead. See the Saves definition for more info about what constitutes a "save situation".
Example: A relief pitcher enters the game with a two-run lead, records two outs and gives up one run, but leaves the game with the lead intact. This is recorded as a hold.
HR (Home Run)
A home run is a type of base hit where the batter successfully rounds all the bases and reaches home plate, scoring a run without being put out and without the benefit of a fielding error. Home runs are typically achieved by hitting the ball over the outfield fence in fair territory, but they can also occur "inside the park" if the batter can round all the bases before the defense can make a play.
Example: A speedy batter hits the ball into the outfield in fair territory, where it hits the fence and ricochets away from the fielder. By the time the fielder picks up the ball and throws it toward home plate, the batter has already rounded all the bases and touched home plate, scoring a run. This is recorded as a home run (in this case, an "inside the park home run").
IP (Innings Pitched)
Innings pitched represents how many outs a pitcher has recorded, grouped by three (because there are 3 outs in a pitched inning). It is shown as a decimal number, with the whole number part representing groupings of 3 outs and the number to the right of the decimal representing the remainder of outs that cannot be bundled into groups of three: .0 (zero remaining outs), .1 (one remaining out), .2 (two remaining outs). Note that .1 and .2 represent one-third, and two-thirds of an inning, respectively, rather than 10% or 20% of a whole
Example: A pitcher records twenty outs in a game. Twenty outs can be represented as 6 groups of three outs (6 x 3 = 18 outs), with 2 remaining outs. The pitcher is then credited with 6.2 innings pitched (spoken as "six and two-thirds").
L (Loss)
A loss is assigned to the pitcher who is responsible for the go-ahead run that gives the opposing team the lead for the last time in the game.
Example: A pitcher whose team is leading in a 2-1 game gives up a 3-run home run, falling behind 4-2. His team never regains the lead and loses the game. This is recorded as a loss for the pitcher.
PA (Plate Appearance)
A plate appearance is credited to a player when they complete a turn batting. Unlike an at bat, which is only awarded for certain outcomes, a plate appearance is awarded for all possible outcomes that complete a turn batting, most notably including walks and sacrifices, which are not counted as at bats.
Example: A batter comes to the plate and hits a sacrifice fly. This counts as one plate appearance, but not an at bat.
QS (Quality Start)
A quality start is credited to a starting pitcher who completes at least six innings and allows three or fewer earned runs.
Examples: A pitcher throws seven innings and allows two earned runs. This is recorded as a quality start; another pitcher completes six innings, giving up 4 earned runs. This outing does not qualify as a quality start.
R (Run)
A run, sometimes referred to as a "run scored", is credited when a player successfully reaches home plate and scores.
Example: A player reaches home plate and scores after hitting a triple and being driven in by a teammate's single. This is recorded as a run.
RBI (Run Batted In)
A run batted in is credited when a batter's plate appearance results in one or more runs being scored. This is typically achieved via a hit, walk, hit by pitch, sacrifice, or groundout. If a plate appearance results in a double play or an error and a run scores, no RBI is registered on the play. Therefore, on any given play, and by extension, in any given game or season, the number of runs may not necessarily equal the number of runs batted in.
Example: A batter hits a single with a runner on third base, resulting in the runner scoring. The batter is awarded an RBI on the play.
SB (Stolen Base)
A stolen base is awarded when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate.
Example: A runner on first base runs to second base as the pitcher throws a pitch towards home plate. Upon receiving the ball, the catcher throws it to the shortstop covering second base. The runner slides in under the tag and is called safe. This counts as a stolen base.
SHO (Shutout)
A shutout is credited to a pitcher who pitches a complete game and does not allow the opposing team to score any runs.
Example: A pitcher throws nine innings and does not allow any runs. This is recorded as a shutout.
SO (Strikeout)
A strikeout, also abbreviated 'K', is recorded when a batter is called out on three strikes. The third strike can be either a swinging strike or a called strike.
Example: On a 3-2 count (3 balls and 2 strikes), a batter swings and misses. The batter is called out. This counts as a strikeout.
SV (Save)
A save is credited to a relief pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under one of the following three circumstances: 1) entering the game with a lead of three runs or less and pitching at least one inning, 2) entering the game with the tying run on base, at the plate, or on-deck, 3) pitching at least three innings.
Example: A relief pitcher enters the game in the ninth inning with a two-run lead and finishes the game without giving up the lead. This is recorded as a save.
XBH (Extra Base Hit)
An extra base hit is registered whenever a batter hits a double, triple, or home run.
Example: A batter hits a double and a home run in a game. This counts as two extra base hits.
W (Win)
A win is credited to the pitcher who is in the game when his team takes the lead for the last time and maintains that lead until the end of the game.
Example: A pitcher is in the game when his team scores the go-ahead run, and his team maintains the lead for the rest of the game. This is recorded as a win for the pitcher.