Baseball is a sport full of complex rules and regulations, and with its long history, it’s no surprise that some of the terminology and abbreviations used in baseball can be confusing. One such term is “B,” which can be found in the box score of almost every professional baseball game. So, what does B mean in baseball?
B Stands for Base
At its most basic, B stands for Base. In baseball, there are four bases that players run between and score runs by touching all four in order: first base, second base, third base and home plate. When a player is on base, they are said to be “on B.”
B Can Represent a Batting Average
B can also represent a player’s batting average. A batting average is the percentage of hits a player gets compared to the number of times they have gone to bat. A player’s batting average is calculated by dividing the number of hits they have by the number of at-bats. This is usually represented as a number with two decimal places, such as .300, and can be referred to as a player’s “B.”
B Is Used for Balls and Strikes
B is also used to represent the number of balls and strikes in a count. When a pitcher throws four balls, the count is referred to as “four balls and no strikes” or “four and B.” Similarly, when the count is three strikes and no balls, it is referred to as “three and B.”
B Is Used to Represent a Bunt
Finally, B is used to represent a bunt in baseball. A bunt is a type of hit where the batter purposefully taps the ball with the bat in order to get it to roll slowly. This allows the batter to reach base safely without swinging for the fences. When a player bunts, it is usually referred to as “putting down a bunt” or “laying down a B.”
Understanding the Different Uses of B in Baseball
As you can see, B can have a variety of meanings in baseball. It can stand for the bases, a player’s batting average, the number of balls and strikes in a count, and a bunt. Understanding the different uses of B can help you follow a baseball game more easily and understand the box score better.