How To Calculate Batting Average

Are you a youth baseball parent? Did you ever wonder what the coaches were talking about when they mentioned a kids baseball batting average?

Well, batting average is a very important baseball statistic that measures the percentage of times a batter gets a hit. Batting average MAY be an imperfect measure of batting proficiency because it doesn't include walks (base on balls) in the calculation. Many analysts believe the omission dilutes this statistic.

Historically, a good batting average is one that is .300 or above. This means the batter gets a 3 hits for every 10 times at bat. Since 1941 (Ted Williams of the Boston Redsox) no major league baseball player has averaged a .400 or above. In youth baseball batting averages can be significantly higher than that. But here is a good baseball tip to remember: batting average is only a statistic and doesn't measure true talent, drive or determination of our kids in baseball.

Knowing how to score baseball is a big part of being a fan!

The calculation of Batting Average is Hits divided by At-Bats.
A hit is defined as a Single, Double, Triple or Homerun.

However not all At-Bats qualify as Official at-bat.
Walks, Sacrifice Hits, Hit By Pitch and Catcher's Interference are not considered official at-bats and are not calculated in the batting average formula.

Here is an example:
Matt Black's hitting statistics are as follows:
130 total outs includes (ground outs, fly outs, force outs, foul outs, fielder's choice)
40 singles
11 doubles
06 triples
02 homeruns
11 walks
00 hit by pitch
03 sacrifice flies
02 sacrifice bunts

Total Hits = 59
40 singles + 11 doubles + 6 Triples + 2 Home Runs

Total Official At Bats = 189
130 outs + 40 singles + 11 doubles + 6 Triples + 2 Home Runs

Using the formula Batting Average = H/AB

Matt Blacks Batting Average is .286 (rounded up)