A player's batting average is one of the key statistics in baseball, explaining the percentage of times the player achieves a hit in a given time frame. You can calculate the batting average for any period, such as a previous season or the number of games played so far in the current season. The best batting averages in Major League Baseball (MLB) are in the low to mid .300s in 2010.
Step 1
Add the player's at bats for this season or other time frame. Include every time the player hits the ball safely, makes an out or strikes out. Include when the player gets on base by an error or fielder's choice (a fielder's choice occurs when the defense tries to record an out on another player on base instead of the batter). Exclude walks, sacrifice bunts or flies and any time the batter was hit by a pitch or was awarded first base because of interference.
Step 2
Add up the player's hits. A hit is defined by hitting the ball and reaching base safely. Include when the player hits the ball safely, but is out trying to take an extra base on the same play. Exclude any times when the player gets on base by an error or fielder's choice.
Step 3
Divide the player's hits by the at bats to calculate the batting average. In the Major League Baseball 2008 season, for instance, Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves had the highest batting average, with 160 hits over 439 at bats. This gave him a 2008 season batting average of .364. Round the calculated number up or down to the closest number for a three-digit batting average.
Things You'll Need
- Player's statistics
- Calculator
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