Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the world. As with any sport, the terminology used by players and fans can be confusing for those just learning the game. One of the more commonly used terms in baseball is TC, which stands for Total Chances. But what does TC actually mean in baseball? In this article, we’ll take a look at the definition of TC, as well as how it’s used and calculated in the game.
Definition of Total Chances
Total Chances, or TC, is a statistic used to measure a fielder’s defensive ability. It’s calculated by adding up the number of putouts, assists, and errors a player has recorded in a given season or game. The number of total chances is often used by coaches and scouts to evaluate a player’s defensive ability.
How TC is Calculated
Putouts:
In baseball, a putout is recorded when a fielder successfully gets an out, either by catching a fly ball, tagging a runner, or throwing a runner out at first base. Putouts are recorded by the fielder who makes the play.
Assists:
An assist is recorded when a fielder helps make a putout, but isn’t directly responsible for getting the out. For example, if a shortstop fields a ground ball and throws it to the first baseman, who then tags the runner out, the shortstop would be credited with an assist.
Errors:
An error is recorded when a fielder makes a mistake that allows a runner to reach base or advance an extra base that wouldn’t have happened had the fielder not made the mistake. For example, if a fielder drops a fly ball, the batter would be credited with a hit, and the fielder would be charged with an error.
Calculating TC
To calculate TC, simply add up the number of putouts, assists, and errors the fielder has recorded in a season or game. For example, if a fielder has recorded 10 putouts, 5 assists, and 1 error in a game, their TC for that game would be 16.
How TC is Used
TC is used to measure a fielder’s defensive ability. It can also be used to compare the defensive ability of players at the same position. For example, if one shortstop has a TC of 20 and another has a TC of 10, it indicates that the first shortstop is likely a better defensive player.
TC and Other Measurements of Defensive Ability
TC is just one of many measurements used to evaluate a fielder’s defensive ability. Other measurements include fielding percentage, range factor, zone rating, and Ultimate Zone Rating. Each of these measurements has its own strengths and weaknesses, and they all should be used in conjunction with TC when evaluating a player’s defensive ability.
TC and Position Players
TC is most often used to evaluate the defensive ability of position players, such as infielders, outfielders, and catchers. It’s not typically used to evaluate the defensive ability of pitchers.
TC and Advanced Statistics
TC is a traditional statistic and is not typically used in advanced analytics. Advanced analytics tend to focus more on metrics such as WAR (wins above replacement) and wOBA (weighted on-base average).
Conclusion
TC is an important statistic used to evaluate a fielder’s defensive ability. It’s calculated by adding up the number of putouts, assists, and errors the fielder has recorded in a season or game. TC is often used to compare the defensive ability of players at the same position, and is most often used to evaluate the defensive ability of position players. While TC is a useful statistic, it should be used in conjunction with other measurements of defensive ability when evaluating a player’s defensive ability.