Baseball is a beloved sport that has been around for generations, and the game has evolved in many ways over the years. Along with the changes in the game, the language and terminology used to describe the sport and the individual plays have changed as well. While the basics of the game remain the same, it can be difficult to keep up with all of the abbreviations and terms that are used to describe the sport. Here, we will take a look at some of the most common abbreviations used in baseball and what they mean.
AB: At-Bat
An at-bat is the most basic unit of measure for a player’s performance in baseball. It is defined as the number of times a player has come up to bat in a game. It does not include walks or sacrifices, but simply the number of times a player has taken a swing at the ball. A player’s batting average is the average number of at-bats it takes him to get a hit.
BB: Base on Balls
A base on balls, more commonly referred to as a walk, is when a pitcher intentionally throws four balls outside of the strike zone and the batter is awarded first base. Walks are not counted as at-bats, but they are counted towards a player’s on-base percentage.
ERA: Earned Run Average
The earned run average (ERA) is a statistic used to measure a pitcher’s performance. It is calculated by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched. The lower the ERA, the better the pitcher’s performance has been.
H: Hit
A hit is when a batter successfully puts the ball into play and reaches a base safely. It does not include walks, sacrifices, or errors, but simply the number of times a batter has hit the ball and reached a base safely.
HR: Home Run
A home run is when the batter hits the ball over the outfield wall, allowing the batter and all baserunners to score. Home runs are one of the most exciting plays in baseball and are usually accompanied by loud cheers from the crowd.
K: Strikeout
A strikeout is when a batter is unable to put the ball into play and the pitcher records three strikes against the batter. Strikeouts are a common occurrence in baseball and are an important part of a pitcher’s performance.
RBI: Run Batted In
Runs batted in (RBIs) are a measure of a batter’s performance. It is the number of runs that a batter has driven in with his hits. RBIs are an important statistic for batters and are often used to measure a player’s ability to drive in runs.
SV: Save
A save is when a relief pitcher records the last out of the game and preserves a win for the team. Saves are a statistic that is used to measure the performance of relief pitchers.
Conclusion
Baseball is a sport that is full of unique terms and abbreviations that can be confusing to those who are new to the sport. While the abbreviations used in baseball may seem overwhelming at first, they are actually quite simple when broken down. By understanding the basics of the abbreviations used in baseball, you will be able to better understand the game and follow the action on the field.