Batting average is a statistic used to measure the rate a player successfully hits the ball over a period of time, usually a season. Batting averages have been used to assess batting performance all the way from little league to the major leagues. The formula used to figure this statistic is very easy: hits divided by at bats. The tricky part is learning what is counted as a hit and what is counted as an at bat. Once the components of the formula are mastered, figuring a batting average is easy.
Step 1
Add up all of the player's hits for the time period. A hit is counted each time the individual hits the ball and makes it to a base without getting out. A hit is not counted if the batter strikes out or is walked by the pitcher. Hits resulting in an out on the batter or another runner due to fielder's choice do not count. A hit is also not counted if the runners are safe only because the defending team committed an error.
Step 2
Add up the number of times the player was at bat for the time period. An at bat is counted each time the player comes up to the plate. However, when a batter is walked or hit by a pitch, it is not considered as an at bat. An at bat is also not counted If the batter commits a sacrifice by purposely hitting the ball to get himself out so another player can advance. At bats are only credited toward the person actually batting. If a batter comes up to the plate and is then replaced with a substitute or pinch hitter, the original batter does not receive credit for being at bat.
Step 3
Divide the number of hits by the number of times the player was at bat. The figure rounded to the third decimal point is the batting average. Many major league baseball players achieve batting averages of over .350. A batting average of .350 means that the player hits well enough to avoid an out 35 percent of the time.
Things You'll Need
- Player statistics
- Calculator
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